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APERSONALTRUESTORY

A Witness of the Gifts of the Spirit

Anonymous

Hope is believing, faith is asking, knowledge is receiving, and priesthood is becoming.

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TableofContentsIntroduction...............................................................................2

TheGiftsoftheSpirit.................................................................31)BelievingonTheirWordsthatJesusistheChrist.........................62)GiftofDiscernment...................................................................113)GiftofRevelation......................................................................244)GiftofForgiveness.....................................................................445)FaithtobeHealed.....................................................................536)FaithtoHeal..............................................................................597)MinisteringofAngels................................................................668)GiftofCharity............................................................................789)GiftofTongues..........................................................................9110)InterpretationofTongues......................................................10311)DiscerningofSpirits...............................................................10712)GiftofProphecy....................................................................11813)GiftofPreaching....................................................................12514)GiftofTranslation.................................................................13315)WorkingofMiracles..............................................................14916)WordofKnowledge...............................................................15917)WordofWisdom...................................................................17618)ToKnowtheDiversitiesofOperations...................................18219)ToKnowtheDifferencesofAdministration...........................18820)KnowingthatJesusistheChrist.............................................192

Conclusion..............................................................................197

GlossaryofTerms...................................................................199

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IntroductionThisbookwasoriginallyplannedtobeapartofthebook,HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,butIwasinstructedtoseparateitintoasecond volume. It is meant to be a reference to help you tounderstand themany gifts of the Spirit that the Lordwishes tobestow upon you. Some of this information may be familiar;however,ifitisnew,seekyourownwitnessfromtheLord.IalwaysadvisemyreaderstobeginwiththebookHowToHaveYour Second Comforter before reading the other books. This isbecause if you are not comfortablewith the first book, youwillsurely not likewhat comes afterward.Usually, I suggest readingthem in succession,but in the caseof these twonewvolumes IwouldaskyoutoreadHowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,followedbyAWitness to the Gifts of the Spirit before the otherwitnessbooks.Myhope is thatyouwilldevelopa relationshipwith theLord towhereHecanpersonally showyouthesamethings Ihaveseen.YouwillprobablyseemuchIhavenot.That isthebeautyoftheHeavenlyRealm,itisendlessandyouwillneverrunoutofthingstolearn.Thesevolumesareforthosewhoareawakeningtotheirmissionwith the Lord. A fire burns within you to know Jesus Christpersonally,tobeawitness,andtoserveHimwithallyourheart.Thereisnoaccidenttothisconsumingdesire,forwecometothisworldpreparedtoperformamission,andyourawakeningispartofthejourney.

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TheGiftsoftheSpiritWhat is a simple definition of a Gift of the Spirit? A spiritualbestowalof power for thepurposeofbuilding theKingdomofGod.ThisspiritualpowerisGod’spriesthoodinaction.Itdoesnotcome upon us by passing aworthiness interview from a churchauthorityorbyyearsofscholarlystudy.Itisnotqualifiedbygenderorage.1ItissimplygiventoGod’shumbleservantsbecauseoftheirpurehearts2andaneyesingletoHisglory.3“Priesthood”isaninterestingword.Weoftenassociateitwiththerights to officiate in Church ordinances and duties. The fullimplicationismoretodowiththelevelofrelationshipwehavewiththeLord.4Thatrelationshipiswhatdeterminesthelevelofspiritualgiftsweareallowedtouse.5IfwearedisconnectedfromtheLord,ouroutwardpriesthoodactionswillbehollowandwithoutpower.6SomeofthesegiftsoftheSpiritcanbereceivedbeforebaptism,andsomeafterreceivingtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.Thisismeanttobeageneral listof thegifts the LordwouldbestowuponHisservants.7

1Acts10:34-35,Mormon8:12,D&C38:1623Nephi12:8,D&C56:183Matthew6:22,3Nephi13:21-22,Mormon8:15-16,D&C4:5,D&C88:67-684 Alma 13, D&C 84:35-39 “Andalsoalltheywhoreceivethispriesthoodreceiveme,saiththeLord;Forhethatreceivethmyservantsreceivethme;AndhethatreceivethmereceivethmyFather;AndhethatreceivethmyFatherreceivethmyFather’skingdom;thereforeallthatmyFatherhathshallbegivenuntohim.Andthisisaccordingtotheoathandcovenantwhichbelongethtothepriesthood.”5Alma13:10,Helaman10:4-5,3Nephi14:8-116Matthew7:22-237ScripturesthatliststhegiftsoftheSpirit:Omni1:25,Mosiah8:16-18,Alma9:21,3Nephi29:6,1Corinthians12:1-11,D&C46:8-29

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ListoftheGiftsoftheSpirit:

1. BelievingontheirwordsthatJesusistheChrist2. GiftofDiscernment3. GiftRevelation4. GiftofForgiveness5. FaithtobeHealed6. MinisteringofAngels7. GiftofCharity8. GiftofTongues9. InterpretationofTongues10. FaithtoHeal11. DiscerningofSpirits12. GiftofProphecy13. GiftofPreaching14. GiftofTranslation15. WorkingofMiracles16. TheWordofKnowledge17. TheWordofWisdom18. ToKnowtheDiversitiesofOperations19. ToKnowtheDifferencesofAdministration20. KnowingthatJesusistheChrist

SeekingtheGiftsoftheSpiritcanbedangerousifourheartisnotrightwithGod.Wearecommandedtoseekthesegifts,butthereisawarning:

“Wherefore,bewarelestyearedeceived;andthatyemaynotbedeceivedseekyeearnestlythebestgifts,alwaysrememberingforwhattheyaregiven;for verily I say unto you, they are given for thebenefit of those who love me and keep all mycommandments, and him that seeketh so to do;thatallmaybebenefitedthatseekorthataskof

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me, that ask and not for a sign that they mayconsumeitupontheirlusts.”(D&C46:7-9)

Althoughitisimportanttoseekthebestgifts,wemustbecarefultoonlyseekthemforthegloryofGodandnotforourownprideorpersonalpromotion.TheLordisverygoodtous,andpromisestosharethesegiftsfreely.

“For all have not every gift given unto them; fortherearemanygifts,andtoeverymanisgivenagiftbytheSpiritofGod.8Tosomeisgivenone,andtosome is given another, that all may be profitedthereby.”(D&C46:11-12)9

Ifyourdesiresaretoknowtruth,tobecomeaservantoftheLordbybringingHisglorytotheearth,accordingtoHiswill,thenyouarereadytoreceivethegiftsoftheSpirit.

“And it shall come to pass that he that askethinSpiritshallreceiveinSpirit;thatuntosomeitmaybegiventohaveallthosegifts,thattheremaybeahead,inorderthateverymembermaybeprofitedthereby. He that asketh in the Spirit askethaccording to thewill ofGod;wherefore it is doneevenasheasketh.”(D&C46:28-30)

FourtimestheLordusestheword“asketh.”WhenweasktheLordforthatwhichwedesireinrighteousness(inharmonywithGod’swill)wearegivenallthegifts.10

81Corinthians12:7-319Moroni10:810Moses6:52,2Nephi4:33-35,Luke11:13

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Iwillnowcarefullygothroughthislistofspiritualgiftstoexplainwhattheyare.This ismywitnessbaseduponwhattheLordhasshownme and commanded that I share. Formore information,howtheycanbedeveloped,refertothebook,“HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes.”Pleaseprayforapersonalwitnessforhowthiscanbeappliedforyou.

1)BelievingonTheirWordsthatJesusistheChristThisisperhapsthemostfundamentalofthegiftsoftheSpirit,11andallotherspiritualgiftsarebuiltuponthis.OneofthefirstgiftswereceiveistobelievethewordsoftheLord’sservantsregardingthetruthfulnessofJesusChrist.Haveyoueverwonderedwhysomanyoftheearth’spopulationhavenointerestinhearingtheGospel?Theygoabouttheirlives,comfortable intheirbeliefs,oftenestablishedfromthousandsofyears of culture and tradition. Why would the Lord not blesseveryonewith this gift tobelieve, so that theymayall have theblessingsoftheLord’scovenant?12Thefactis,thegiftsareavailabletoallthosewhodesirethem.Thisgift isparticularlyunique inthat itwasfirstbestowedbeforewewereborn intomortality.Not all are under the covenant of theHouse of Israel, and not all have partaken of the EverlastingCovenant;13whichiscentraltoJesusChrist.Theseedofmenlivea11D&C46:13-1412TheWitnessoftheTemporalDispensations,Pg.10-1113D&C22:1TheEverlastingCovenantisnotpolygamy,asstatedinD&C132.ItisthecompleteplanwherebywecovenanttobeheirsthroughChrist’satonement,andtoplantowardeternalexaltation.Thedetailsofthiscovenanthavenotbeenrevealedintheirfullnesstotheworld,ortothetemporalchurch.

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telestiallawandarecoveredundertheatonement,14butwillnotreceiveeternallifeunlesstheycomeuntoChrist.Thosewhohavemadepreviouscovenants (TheElect)15will feel theirheartsburnwithinthem16whentheyareinthepresenceoftheLord’sservantsandtheywilldesiretheGospel.ThereareoccasionswhenGentiles,because of special circumstances, feel compelled to come untoChrist.17As many people as there are in the world, and with so manyreligions,andphilosophies,itistrulyaneedleinthehaystackformostpeopletofindthisgiftfromGod.ManypeoplearehungryfortheGospel,buttheydonotknowwheretofindit.

“Behold,thedayscome,saiththeLordGOD,thatIwillsendafamineintheland,notafamineofbread,norathirst forwater,butofhearingthewordsoftheLORD:”Amos8:11

This declaration of the Lord was originally for the Israelites,becausetheyhadabandonedtheircovenant.TheLordgaveustheNew Covenant18 before His resurrection and made the Gospelavailabletoallthegentiles.But,becauseofthecraftinessofmen,19ithasbecomedifficulttofindtheLord.

“For there are many yet on the earth among allsects,parties,anddenominations,whoareblindedbythesubtlecraftinessofmen,wherebytheylieinwait to deceive, and who are only kept from the

14Moroni8:2215JosephSmithMatthew1:22163Nephi11:3,Luke24:32,2Nephi16:10,Alma19:13,D&C9:817Acts10:44-48,Acts15:8-9,Acts16:1418Matthew26:26-29(Testamentisthesameascovenant.)3Nephi12:46-48,Hebrews8and919Secretcombinationsamongtheprincipalitiesandpowersoftheearth.

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truthbecausetheyknownotwheretofindit.”D&C123:12

ItistheresponsibilityoftheLord’sservants,astheyarecalled,20topreachHisGospel.

“Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, andcome unto me, and believe in my gospel, andbebaptizedinmyname;forhethatbelievethandisbaptized shallbe saved;buthe thatbelievethnotshall bedamned;and signs shall follow them thatbelieveinmyname.”Ether4:18

Whatarethesignsthatshallfollowthosethatbelieve?21Theseareno less that the gifts of the Spirit. But, first theGospel is to bepreachedbytheLord’sservants.

“Howthenshalltheycallonhiminwhomtheyhavenotbelieved?andhowshalltheybelieveinhimofwhomtheyhavenotheard?andhowshalltheyhearwithout a preacher? And how shall they preach,excepttheybesent?asitiswritten,Howbeautifularethefeetofthemthatpreachthegospelofpeace,and bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans10:14-15

WhentheyshallheartheGospel,theyfeeltheSpiritanddesiretolearnmore.Sometimesthiscomesintheformofscripture,22andsometimesbydirectpreaching.23Whatdoesittakeforsomeonetoacquire this gift? It requires us to have a desire to know to theextentthatwecryouttoGod.ThiswasthecasewithKingLamoni:

20D&C4:3-721Mormon9:24-2522John20:30-31,1Nephi19:23,2Nephi4:15-16,Mosiah27:35-36,Alma17:2231Thessalonians2:13

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“Anditcametopassthatafterhehadsaidallthesethings, andexpounded them to the king, that thekingbelievedallhiswords.AndhebegantocryuntotheLord,saying:OLord,havemercy;accordingtothyabundantmercywhichthouhasthaduponthepeopleofNephi,haveuponme,andmypeople.Andnow, when he had said this, he fell unto theearth,asifheweredead.”Alma18:40-42

Thepowertobelieve,openedthedoortoacompletebaptismoffireandHolyGhostexperience.ItisbeautifulhowtheLordblessesusaccordingtoourfaithregardlessofwhoweare.ThegentilesinJerusalemwereabletoreceiveafullness24aftertheybelieved.

“And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell onthem,asonusatthebeginning.ThenrememberedIthewordoftheLord,howthathesaid,Johnindeedbaptizedwithwater;butyeshallbebaptizedwiththeHolyGhost.ForasmuchthenasGodgavethemthelikegiftashediduntous,whobelievedontheLordJesusChrist;whatwasI,thatIcouldwithstandGod?Whentheyheardthesethings,theyheldtheirpeace,25 andglorifiedGod, saying, ThenhathGodalsototheGentilesgrantedrepentanceuntolife.”Acts11:15-18

Throughthegiftofbelievingontheapostle’swordstheywereabletoreceivetheHolyGhost.Truly,thegifttobelieveontheirwordsisthestrikepointforallthegiftsoftheSpirit.

“Anditcametopassthatthethirtyandfirstyeardidpass away, and there were but few who were

24GiftoftheHolyGhost25To“holdtheirpeace”meanstokeepittothemselves.

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converted unto the Lord; but as many as wereconverteddidtrulysignifyuntothepeoplethattheyhad been visited by the power and Spirit of God,whichwas in JesusChrist, inwhomtheybelieved.Andasmanyashaddevilscastoutfromthem,andwerehealedoftheirsicknessesandtheirinfirmities,did truly manifest unto the people that they hadbeenwroughtuponby theSpirit ofGod, andhadbeenhealed;andtheydidshowforthsignsalsoanddiddosomemiraclesamongthepeople.”3Nephi7:21-22

AsIhavesaidbefore,“Hopeisbelieving,faithisasking,knowledgeisreceiving,andpriesthoodisbecoming.”Thisgiftisaprecursortoallothergifts.

“And again, more blessed are they whoshall believe in your words because that ye shalltestifythatyehaveseenme,andthatyeknowthatI am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe inyour words, and come down into the depths ofhumility and be baptized, for they shall bevisitedwithfireandwiththeHolyGhost,andshallreceivearemissionoftheirsins.”3Nephi12:2

ThegifttobelieveontheirwordsopensthedoortothebaptismoffireandgiftoftheHolyGhost.

“AndnowFather,Iprayuntotheeforthem,andalsoforallthosewhoshallbelieveontheirwords,thatthey may believe in me, that I may be inthem as thou, Father, art in me, that we maybeone.”3Nephi19:23

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Tohavethegift“tobelieveontheirwordsthatJesusistheChrist,”istohavethefaithtostartthejourneyofascendingthehilloftheLord.26Wehaveplantedtheseedinourheart,becauseofhope;27andifwecryouttotheLordwewillbegivenmoregiftsuntilwehave them all in their fullness.28 It is advisable, as the Lord’sservants,topraythatthosetowhomweministerreceivethisgift.29

2)GiftofDiscernmentThis spiritual gift isoneof themost important and fundamentalgifts we can desire. But it is often overlooked and desperatelyneededbythosewhowouldbeGod’sservants. It isfreelygiven,butrequiresaprocessofdevelopment.

The key component of discernment occurswhere your heart is,whether you seek The Lord or the things of theworld.When apersonfirstbeginstoplanttheseedoffaiththeyareabletodiscernifitasagoodseedsimplybyhowitgrowswithintheirhearts.Ifitfeelsright,hasawarmfamiliarity,orclarity,theywillfeeldrawntoit.

ThewaytheLordhelpsustocultivatethisgift isbygivingusHiscommandments.Aswereadthescriptures,andstudythelivesoftheprophetsandtheLord’scovenantpeople,webegintoseethepatternwhichhelpsustodiscernbasicprinciplesthatcanguideus.At this stage things seem black and white. We grow in ourassociationwiththeLordandHeblessesuswithHisSpirit,whichis

26Psalm24:327Alma32:27-4328D&C46:29-30,Noteveryonereceivesallthegiftsinthislife,buteventuallyasyoureceiveallthingsfromtheLordeverygiftshallbemanifesttoyou. 291Corinthians1:4-7,1Nephi1:5,Alma6:6,3Nephi1:11

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referredtoastheHolySpiritorHolyGhostinscripture.30ThiscanleadonetoseekbaptismofwaterasasigntotheFatherthatwehave accepted Jesus the Christ.31 Then, as we continue inrighteousness (following the Spirit) we are blessed with thebaptismoffireandtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.32WecontinuetobeledbythesameSpirit,butnowweare joinedtoourLord, JesusChrist.33

TheGiftofDiscernmenttakesonalargerroleinourdevelopmentthecloserwecometoHim.34Wecanbegiventhisgiftearlyon,when we are seeking to know the Lord, or later after we havereceivedtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.But,thecloserwecometoHim,the level inwhichdark familiar spiritswill seek to sidetrack anddestroyuswillincrease.IfwecorrectlydiscerntheAdversary,theywillswitchgearsandtryanewtactic.Thegoodnews isthattheLordwill alwayshelpus to comearoundand see thedifferencebetweenHisvoiceandthefamiliarspirit.

“ButyearecommandedinallthingstoaskofGod,who giveth liberally; and that which the SpirittestifiesuntoyouevensoIwouldthatyeshoulddoinallholinessofheart,walkinguprightlybeforeme,considering the end of your salvation, doing allthingswithprayerandthanksgiving,thatyemaynotbeseducedbyevilspirits,ordoctrinesofdevils,or

30 Luke 11:10-13, Jarom 1:4, See How To Open Your Spiritual Eyes, Anonymous, pg. TheHolyGhostcanbethesameastheHolySpiritordifferentdependinguponthecontext. 31Romans6:3-5,32Hebrews6:1-4,2Nephi31:1333Galatians3:26-29,Romans15:434D&C46:27,1Kings3:9-11,1Corinthians2:14,Hebrews4:12,Alma18:18,Alma32:35

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thecommandmentsofmen;forsomeareofmen,andothersofdevils.”(D&C46:7)

WearecommandedtoprayandtoaskofGodforwhatweshoulddo,35thatwebenotdeceived;eitherbyevilspirits,falsedoctrine,orthewordsofmen.TheseversesthengoontolistthegiftsoftheSpiritwiththecommandmentto“seekyeearnestlythebestgifts.”OneofthoseistheGiftofDiscernment.Themoregiftsyouacquire,theeasieritbecomestospottheAdversary.

Whenyoureceivesthisgift,youcanexpectmoreclarityinseeingtruthverseserror.Thesubtletyofafamiliarspiritistheirabilitytosugar coat the lies they communicate to us. They are called“familiar”because they knowyou intimately.Often these spiritshave followed you for many years.36 They know your desires,beliefs, trusts,doctrinalviewsandalmosteverything. If theycangetyoutomoveyourdirectionevenaslightpercentageawayfromthelight,theybegintohavepoweroveryou.

WhentheAdversarywishestodeceiveus,hemayoftenappealtoourprideorcomfort,andwilluseguiltanddiscouragementtostopourprogression.Theyspeak inavoicethatsounds likeourown.Herearesomeexamplesthatyoumaybehearingafalsespirit:

Pride:

• “Youwouldmakeagreatleader;theLordneedsyou.”• “Goservethatpersonnow,peoplewillseeyou.”• “Youshouldspendmoretimeworking,agoodfathermust

provideforhisfamily.”35D&C50:31-3236Oftenthesespiritsdonotknowyourbackgroundbeforebirth;therefore,thebecomemoreaggressiveastheyrealizeyouareaservantoftheLord.ButtheLordpreparesHisservantstodiscern.

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• “Read your scriptures more; you don’t want to beembarrassedfornotknowingthat.”

• “It’smoreimportantthatyoucleanthatroomthanspendtimewithyourson;cleanlinessisnexttoGodliness.”

• “Youdon’tneedyourSecondComforter;theLordwillgiveyouwhatyouneedwhenthetimeisright.”

• “It’sgoodtopray,butdon’texpecttheLordtoansweryou.”• “Youarethegreatestamongmyservants.”

Comfort:

• “I promise you will become rich with the things of theworld.”

• “YoursuccessandmoneyisasignofyourstandingwiththeLord.”

• “YouwillnothavetofacetheAdversaryagainbecauseofyourworthiness.”

• “Youhavemorepowerthananyofthem.”• “You shall be given what you desire if you do this.”

(somethingtemporal)

Guilt:

• Youcan’texpecttheLordtodothat,becauseyoureallydidsomebadthings.

• Yourpastsinsmakeyoutoounworthyashim/hertoexpectthesameresults.

• Youhadyourchance,nowyouhavetostartoveragain.Youshouldhavedonemore.

• WhywouldtheLordblessyou?• Rememberwhatyoudid?(Dwellinguponpastsins.)

Discouragement:

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• Thatdidn’tgowell.Stopwhileyou’reahead.• Youarenotsmartenough.• Youaren’treallythespiritualtype.• You’veneverbeengoodatspiritualthings.• Howmanytimesbeforeyouwillfinallygiveup?• Youcan’tdothis.Justgiveup.Knowwhenit’stimetoquit.

It’sokay,youjustaren’tcutoutforthis.Nobodywillthinkanything.

Do you see the pattern? The Adversary speaks in a familiar,righteoussoundingway,butwillofferclues ifyou lookcarefully;usuallyappealing toyourprideorcomfort.37 Ifweare livingourlivesaccordingtotheLord’spatternwewilldiscernclearly.

“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards allmen,andto thehouseholdof faith,and letvirtuegarnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall theyconfidencewaxstronginthepresenceofGod;andthedoctrineofthepriesthoodshalldistilluponthysoulsasthedewsofheaven.”D&C121:45

Two thingsweare counseled todo: first, to fill ourdesireswithcharity;second,togarnishourthoughtswithvirtue.Doingthiswillleave no room for the Adversary, and make it easier to spot adeception.Letmedefinethesetwowordsinrelationtotheabovescripture:

Charityismorethankindactsofservice.Itimpliesaoneness with Christ,38 to have the “pure love ofChrist,”whichcomeswiththeGiftoftheHolyGhost.ItistobeinharmonywithGod’swillandtoseeHis

37Matthew4:6,3Nephi6:1538Moroni7:47-48

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children the way He sees them. This will greatlyenhancetheGiftofDiscernment.

Virtueisthatwhichispure,beautiful,inspiring,andChrist-centered.39 To garnish your thoughtscontinually with scripture, inspirational music,inspiring literature, majestic art and nature, willbuildgreatnessofspiritwithinyou.Nottomention,itmakeslifeprettyawesome.RememberhowJesuswouldusescripturetoretortagainsttheAdversarywhen He was tempted?40 Only those who wafflebetween the light, appealing to their pride andcomfort, will find it difficult to discern theAdversary.41

Despiteourgreatesteffortsandvirtue,wewillstillmakemistakesandfall.Whyisthat?YouthoughtyouhadtheGiftofDiscernment,right?42Thereisareasonforthis.Webecomestrengthenedintheprocess.43WelearnwellhowtoidentifythemaswelearntotrustinourLord.44Itcanbeafrustratingundertakingtobesure.Oftenouremotions, fears,anxieties,andahostofotherpressurescan

39TheArticlesofFaith1:1540Matthew4:4,7,10,Luke4:8,1241 Revelation 3:15-16, “Virtue is one of the most prominent principles that enables us to have confidence in approaching our Father who is in heaven in order to ask wisdom at his hand. Therefore, if thou wilt cherish this principle in thine heart, thou mayest ask with all confidence before him and it shall be poured out upon thine head.” Statement written by Joseph Smith in Feb. 1840 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; original in private possession. Quoted from TPJS (2011), pg. 125-34 chapter 10, Prayer and Personal Revelation”, LDS.org

422Nephi4:27-33,Ether2:14,Isaiah49:15,D&C9:6-843D&C105:6,Ether12:2744Isaiah50:10,D&C122:7

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causeus tonot see the truth.Apersonwroteme the followingquestion:

“When one hears a voice and is trying to discernbetweenthe“familiar”voicesandtheLord’svoice,canoneask“whose”voice it is?Forexample, is ithelpfultoask,“IsthisJesusspeaking?”,etc.orcantheadversarydeceiveusonthatalso?”

Yes, we can always ask the Lord for guidance, but wemay notnecessarily receive a discernable answer, as the Lord will oftenprefertoteachus.WemayasktheLordifitisHim,theAdversaryspeakstotheaffirmative,andwecallitincorrectly.TheLordallowsus to fail so that we can learn to discern. Let me give you ananalogy:

Iaskedmydaughteroncewhyshedoesn’tliketoplaybasketball.Shesaid,“BecauseI’mnotgoodatit!”Iproceededtoaskherhowmuchshepracticed,andofcourseitwasverylittle.Theproblemwasthatshehadsomanynegativeexperiencesthatshedecideditwasn’therthing.Itwassafertoenjoyitfromthesidelineslikemostpeople.

What ifmydaughterhadfirst learnedtostandunderthebasketandmaketheeasiershots?Atthebeginning,shewouldlikelymissmany,butheraverageswouldimprove,aswellasherconfidence.Asshecontinued, thecoachcouldofferherencouragementandadvice if she was listening. The more difficult shots would beattemptedand shewouldhave improvedgreatly; increasingherconfidence.Shewouldlearntherulesofthegameandperhapsjoinateam.Herexperiencewouldhavebeencompletelydifferent.

Basketballcanbefun,butitisjustagame.TheprivilegeofbeingaservantoftheLordisLifeEternal.Often,whenitcomestotalents,

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we choose what we will become. People can be born with apropensityforacertainskill;butitisthetenacious,thosewiththemostdesirethatreachgreatheights.HowmuchdoyouwanttobeaservantoftheLord?Howmuchfailureareyouwillingtoenduretodevelopyour“gift?”ThisprincipleappliestoallthegiftsoftheSpirit.TheLordwillcoachyoueachstepoftheway.Expectfailure,butalso intime,theabilitytodiscerntheAdversaryuntilhewillhavenopoweroveryou.Moroniwrotethefollowing:

10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do thatwhichisgood;neitherwillhegiveagoodgift.11 For behold, a bitter fountain [person withoutfaith]cannotbringforthgoodwater;neithercanagoodfountainbringforthbitterwater;wherefore,aman being a servant of the devil cannot followChrist; and if he follow Christ he cannot beaservantofthedevil.12Wherefore,allthingswhicharegoodcomethofGod;andthatwhichisevilcomethofthedevil;forthedevilisanenemyuntoGod,andfightethagainsthimcontinually,andinvitethandenticethtosin,andtodothatwhichisevilcontinually.13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth andenticeth to do good continually;wherefore, everythingwhichinvitethandenticethtodogood,andtoloveGod,andtoservehim,isinspiredofGod.[Thisisapowerfultoolindiscerningtheadversary.]14Wherefore,takeheed,mybelovedbrethren,thatyedonotjudgethatwhichiseviltobeofGod,orthatwhichisgoodandofGodtobeofthedevil.15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto youtojudge,thatyemayknowgoodfromevil;andtheway to judge isasplain, thatyemayknowwithaperfectknowledge,asthedaylightisfromthedark

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night.[Wehavetolearnthisprocess,Goddoesn’tdoitforus.]16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given toeveryman,thathemayknowgoodfromevil;[Weareeachgiventhemeanstocompareandcontrastbetweenchoices.]wherefore,Ishowuntoyoutheway to judge; forevery thingwhich inviteth todogood,and topersuade tobelieve inChrist, is sentforthbythepowerandgiftofChrist;whereforeyemayknowwithaperfectknowledgeitisofGod.17Butwhatsoeverthingpersuadethmentodoevil,andbelievenotinChrist,anddenyhim,andservenot God, then ye may know with a perfectknowledge it is of thedevil; for after thismannerdoththedevilwork,forhepersuadethnomantodogood,no,notone;neitherdohisangels;neitherdotheywhosubjectthemselvesuntohim.18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye knowthelightbywhichyemayjudge,whichlight isthelightofChrist,seethatyedonotjudgewrongfully;forwiththatsamejudgmentwhichyejudgeyeshallalsobejudged.19Wherefore, Ibeseechofyou,brethren, thatyeshouldsearchdiligentlyinthelightofChristthatyemay know good from evil; and if ye will lay holdupon every good thing, and condemn it not, yecertainlywillbeachildofChrist.20Andnow,mybrethren,howisitpossiblethatyecanlayholduponeverygoodthing?21Andnow I come to that faith,ofwhich I said Iwouldspeak;andIwilltellyouthewaywherebyyemaylayholdoneverygoodthing.22 For behold, God knowing all things, beingfrom everlasting to everlasting, behold, hesentangelstoministeruntothechildrenofmen,to

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makemanifestconcerningthecomingofChrist;andinChristthereshouldcomeeverygoodthing.[giftsoftheSpirit]23AndGodalsodeclareduntoprophets,byhisownmouth,thatChristshouldcome.24Andbehold,thereweredivers[mysterious]waysthat he did manifest things unto the children ofmen, which were good; and all things which aregoodcomethofChrist;otherwisemenwerefallen,andtherecouldnogoodthingcomeuntothem.25Wherefore,bytheministeringofangels,andbyeverywordwhichproceededforthoutofthemouthofGod,menbegantoexercise faith inChrist;andthus by faith, they did lay hold upon every goodthing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.[Seekingtoreceiverevelationandactinguponit.]26Andafterthathecamemenalsoweresavedbyfaith in his name; and by faith, they becomethe sons of God. [Received the Gift of the HolyGhost.]AndassurelyasChristlivethhespakethesewordsuntoourfathers,saying:WhatsoeverthingyeshallasktheFather inmyname,which isgood, infaithbelievingthatyeshallreceive,behold,itshallbe done unto you. [ReceivingGifts of the Spirit.]Moroni7:10-26

ManyofusgiveupwhenlearningtodiscernthevoiceoftheLord.I’velistenedtomanyfriendsandfamilywithdespair,describethemanytimestheirprayers fell flat,or their revelationsdidn’tplayout as they supposed.Obviously, they felt theyhadeither beendeceivedorwereconjuringtheirownthoughts.Themostdifficultrevelationsareoften themost stressful, filledwithemotionandtrepidation.

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Ihadanexperiencemanyyearsagoprayingforthingsrelatedtomybusiness, thinking I had received an answer, only to see theoppositeoccur.Myrevelationhadbeenincorrect,andIwonderedwhy–was InotpureenoughtounderstandtheLord’svoice? Inretrospect,Iwasnewtotheprocessofrevelationandwanteditsobadlythatmyemotionscloudedmyvision.Ihavesincelearnedtocalmmymind,andnot to feel inclined toonechoiceverses theotherasIdiscerntheLord’swill.

Ihavereceivedmanyquestionsregardingthisgiftofdiscernment.Many people strugglewith knowingwhat to believe, orwho tofollow.HerearefourquestionsthatIthinkareworthtakingsometimetoanswer:

Question:What about thosewho are deceived and yet use thesamescripturestopreachtheirversionofthegospel?

Answer:Therearemanyinterpretationsofscripturetobefound.Nobodywantstothinktheyareonethe“mistakenones,”sowhatdoyoudo?Listentoeveryone,butdonottaketheirgospelforfactuntilyouhavereceivedyourownpersonalrevelation.Yes, it isaprocessoflearningtodiscern,trialanderror,butthereisnootherway.Everypersonwillexperiencedeceptionduringtheir life, it’showyourespondandrepentthatmatters.Ifyouareseekingvirtue,are humble like a child and desire the Lord’s will more thananythingyouwillbeledtothetruth.

Question:Howcanwediscoveradeceiver?

Answer:Untilyoucanperfectlyusethegiftofdiscernment,therearesomethingstolookfor.Iftheycontinuallyseekthelimelight,call attention to themselves, and insist upon everyone agreeingwithwhattheyteach,Iwouldbeskeptical.AservantoftheLordwillshyawayfromthisbehaviorandevendespiseit.Whentheir

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viewsarechallengedatrueservantisnotoffended,butwillsuggestyouaskGod;toprayforyourownrevelation,repent,andseektheLordonly.It’snotaboutthemessengerinanyway.Atrueservantwill have no negative reaction or anger toward anyone whoseopinionsandteachingdifferfromthem.TheywillsimplyputitintheLord’shandsandpreachwhattheyhavebeencalledtodeliver.

Question:Whatarethesignsofatruemessenger?

Answer: It is very simple. They preach repentance. Thatmeans,theyteachhowtocometotheLord,byturningyourheart,mightandstrengthtowardJesusChrist.Anythingelseyoumustjudgebythe fruits. Everything ismeasuredby the signs that follow thosethatbelieve;thegiftsoftheSpirit,whichcomebybaptismandtheHolyGhost.

Dowealwaysneedaprophettoguideusontothepathfirst?

Answer:TheLordalwayssendsHisprophets.Thewordhasbecomeamisnomerinmoderntimesasweassociateitwithcelebritystatusandgenteelperfection.Ontheoppositeend,ithasastigmaofthelongbeardedcrazymanpredictingtheendoftheearth.AprophethasagreatpurposeintheLord’splan.Hesendsmanyprophetstohelpus intheprocessofknowingHimandrepenting.Hewillbesendingmanymoreinthenearfuture.Thescripturesareourfirstsourcetofindthewordsoftheprophets.AllmodernprophetsmusthavetheirwordsweighedaccordingtotheSpiritofdiscernmentandrevelation.Ifweareweakinthatareawemustjudgethembytheirfruits.

IrecordedapersonalrevelationwhichIreceivedtohelpmewhendiscerningpure revelationor deceiving spirits. Youmaywant topraytoseeifthiswillapplytoyou.

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I asked, “Lord, how do we know when we arereceivingarevelationfromyou?”“Whena revelationcomes toyourmindandyourfirstinclinationistodoubt—askmeifitcomesfromaboveor fromanuncleansource. If theanswer isclearlygiven,itisgood.”

“Ifyoucontinuetoaskandyoucannotgetayesornowherejustmomentsearlieritcameeasily—takeitasano.Besureyouareaskingwithaclearmind,devoid of emotion, unworthy thoughts, or doubtsthat you are receiving revelation. Remember, theSpiritwillspeaktoyou,andyouwilloftentranslatethesemessagesintoyourownwords,andtherebythewordswillhaveavoicesimilartoyourownandyetfromabove.”

“Donot be discouraged if you find that youwerebeing deceived by the Adversary. You mustbe tempted that youmay learn to distinguish thegoodfromtheevil.Ifyouarehumbleandseekmyword,youwillbeledtothetruth.Theremustbeanoppositioninallthings,thereforeifyouaregivenadeception by the Adversary prepare yourself toreceive a powerful revelatory experience fromabove,forIshallnotleaveyoucomfortless.”

Learning to discern often begins with asking simple yes and noquestions,thenlearninghowtoreceivemorerevelationintime.45

IfyoudesirethegiftofDiscernment,askforit.Expecttheretobealearninganddevelopmentcurveintheprocess.Asyoureleaseall45HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,pg.

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yourunbelief46anddoubts,theLordwillhelpyoutohearHisvoiceandyouwillbegintoexperiencethelifeofaservantoftheLord.

3)GiftofRevelationThisgiftgoesinconjunctionwiththegiftofDiscernment;forhowcanyoudiscernwithoutreceivingrevelationfromtheLord?Yourabilitytoreceiverevelationexpandsexponentiallyasyoulearntoopenyourspiritualsenses.JosephSmithsaid,“ItistheprivilegeofthechildrenofGodtocometoGodandgetrevelation.…Godisnotarespecterofpersons;weall have the sameprivilege.”47 The Lordwishes to communicatewithus.Thisisnotsomethingonlyprivilegedtoprophets,apostles,andchurchleaders;itisforall.

“We believe that we have a right to revelations,visions,anddreamsfromGod,ourHeavenlyFather;and light and intelligence, through the gift of theHoly Ghost, in the name of Jesus Christ, on allsubjectspertainingtoourspiritualwelfare; if it sobethatwekeephiscommandments,soastorenderourselvesworthyinhissight.”48

ThisJosephSmithquotecoversmanygifts,butmakesitclearthattheyaredesignedforourspiritualwelfaretorenderusworthyinHissight.Worthyforwhat?--tobeHisservant.

46Matthew17:19-21,Mark6:14,Moroni7:3747TheProphetJosephSmith,TeachingsofPresidentsoftheChurch:JosephSmith(MelchizedekPriesthoodandReliefSocietycourseofstudy,2007),13248LetterfromJosephSmithtoIsaacGalland,Mar.22,1839,LibertyJail,Liberty,Missouri,publishedinTimesandSeasons,Feb.1840,p.54.

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Whatdoes it feel liketoreceiverevelation?Howcanwediscernwhatwearereceiving?

“Apersonmayprofitbynoticingthefirstintimationof the spirit of revelation; for instance,when youfeelpure intelligenceflowing intoyou, itmaygiveyousuddenstrokesofideas,sothatbynoticingit,youmayfinditfulfilledthesamedayorsoon;(i.e.)thosethingsthatwerepresenteduntoyourmindsbytheSpiritofGod,willcometopass;andthusbylearningtheSpiritofGodandunderstandingit,youmaygrowintotheprincipleofrevelation,untilyoubecomeperfectinChristJesus.”49

This quote from Joseph Smith helps us to understand a fewprinciplesofreceivingthisgift.First,whattoexpect:youwillfeelitflowing into you, sudden ideas and thoughts, which findthemselvesbecomingrealizedwithinthedayorsoonafter.Second,thatasyoustarttorecognizethisSpiritandyoubeginto“growintotheprincipleofrevelation.”Itisaprocessofdevelopment.Third,by this processwebecomeperfect in JesusChrist;meaning,wecome to know Him.What a beautiful nugget of truth from theprophet Joseph Smith! This is a gift thatmust be cultivated andexpandeduntilweknowJesus.Myquestiontoyouisthis:whatismoreimportanttoyourspiritualdevelopmentatthistime,thescriptures,oryourabilitytoreceiverevelation?JosephSmithsaidthefollowing:

“IhaveanoldeditionoftheNewTestamentintheLatin, Hebrew, German and Greek languages. … IthankGodthatIhavegotthisoldbook;butIthank

49 HistoryoftheChurch,3:381;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonJune27,1839,inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.

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himmoreforthegiftoftheHolyGhost.Ihavegotthe oldest book in the world; but I have got theoldestbook inmyheart,even thegiftof theHolyGhost. … The Holy Ghost … is within me, andcomprehends more than all the world; and I willassociatemyselfwithhim.”50

JosephclearlyvaluesthegiftofRevelationbeforethescriptures.Iknowthismayraisealarmamongsomewhoreadthis.“Howcouldyou suggest such a thing?” This is not to say scriptures are notindispensable, theyarealsoagift fromGodtohelpyougrow infaith.But,without theGiftofRevelationweare left toourowndevises to try and understand the intent and context of thepropheticWord.Asimplescanofthevastscholarlydisagreementsamongtheologianscausesonetopauseandwonder.ManyoftheChurchareconfusedbythe“rodofiron”spokenofbyNephi,ashesaiditwasthe“wordofGod”whichledtotheTreeofLife.Somehavesupposedthis is“readingscripture;”butamoreaccuratemeaningwouldbetheliteralwordofGod–thereceiptofdirectrevelation.Thismaycomethroughscripture,otherpeople,prayer,ornumerousways;butwithoutrevelationtodiscern,wearesusceptibletobeledastraydowndarkunfamiliarpaths.51When the Lord’s Spirit is upon us we are expected to receiverevelation.JosephSmithsaid,“NomancanreceivetheHolyGhostwithout receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator.”52Also,Moronisaid,“AndbythepoweroftheHolyGhostyoumay

50HistoryoftheChurch,6:307–8;paragraphdivisionsaltered;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonApr.7,1844,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyWilfordWoodruff,WillardRichards,ThomasBullock,andWilliamClayton.51 1 Nephi 11:2552HistoryoftheChurch,6:58;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonOct.15,1843,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.

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knowthetruthofallthings.”53Notjustsomethings,butallthings.Itisimportanttopointoutthathesaid,“mayknow,”whichalludesthatyoumaynotreceiveallthings.Onlyaccordingtoourfaithareallthingsmadeknownuntous.

“Andinthatdaythattheyshallexercisefaithinme,saiththeLord,evenasthebrotherofJareddid,thatthey may become sanctified in me, then willImanifestuntothemthethingswhichthebrotherof Jared saw,even to theunfoldingunto themallmyrevelations, saith JesusChrist, theSonofGod,theFatheroftheheavensandoftheearth,andallthingsthatinthemare.”(Ether4:7)

TheLordmakesitclearthatasweexercisefaithlikethebrotherofJared and becoming sanctified in Him, then we will see all Hisrevelations—everything.HavesomeofyoudoubtedtheextentoftheexperiencesIhavewrittenabout?IhaveonlywrittenafractionofwhattheLordhasshownme,andmayshowyou,accordingtoyourfaith.How does one exercise faith like the Brother of Jared untosanctification?Thisisobviouslynotaneasytaskoryouwouldseemoredoingit.Thekeylieswithinthekindoffaiththatheexercised.It is interesting how the Lord acknowledgedhis exceeding faith.Nowhereinscripturebeforethattime,andrarelyafterward,doweseethisoccur.

And the Lord said unto him: Because of thy faiththouhastseenthatIshalltakeuponmefleshandblood; and never has man come before mewithsuchexceedingfaithasthouhast;forwereitnotsoyecouldnothaveseenmyfinger.54

53Moroni10:554Ether3:9

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Whatwas it thatgave theBrotherof Jared suchgreat faith?HewentandmoltenedthestonesfromtherockandpresentedthemtotheLordtohelpsaveHispeople.Isthatall?Nottoolongbeforethis he was severely chastised by the Lord for not seeking Himearnestly.Whatchanged?Tohave“greatfaith”istoreceiverevelationandthentoactuponit.Butitgoesevenfurther:itistoseekrevelation,andthentoactuponit.BeforetheBrotherofJared’sSecondComforterhespokewiththeLordinthecloud.Thiswasnotamistywhitecloudthatwouldshowupfromtimetotime.ItwasthecloudoftheSpiritthatresidedinHismind.55ItveiledhimfromtheLord.TheBrotherofJareddidnothavescripturelikeustoguidehim.WhydoyouthinkhewasunawareofJesus’physicalnature?HeknewenoughthatGodwasrealandthathecouldhearandanswerprayers.Heponderedandprayedforasolutionforhowtosavehispeoplein the barges, and then the revelation came. Hewent about tomakeithappenandtookthemoltenstonestotheLord.HesawthefingeroftheLordasthestonesbegantolightup.Atthispointherecoiled in fear, knowing that any improper thought woulddisconnecthimfromGod.But,whathesawwastruthrevealedbythepoweroffaith.TheLordrequiredhimtodeclarehisfaithtoHimandatthispoint,therewasnothingpreventinghimfromstandinginthepresenceofJesusChrist;hisfaithhadpiercedtheveil.56TheLordwasoverjoyedwithhisfaithandproceededtoanswerallhisquestions.57

55TheSpiritcanaffectourmindstoactivateallbutourvisualsensitivities.ThisisthestateofbeingintheCloud.56Ether3:26,Ether12:20-21ThispatternoffaithiswhatopenstheveilandatangiblerelationshipwithGod.57RefertoHowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,Pg.

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The rest of these revelations havebeenhidden from theworld,preserved in the sealedportionof theplates thatweregiven toJoseph Smith, andwill yet be revealed to theworld at a futuretime.58But,youmaynothavetowaitifyourfaithissufficient.59MoroniinjectsintothebookofEther12alongsermonregardingfaith,revelationandthegiftsoftheSpirit.Ihaveincludedmynotestohelpyouunderstand themeaningmoreclearly.Pray foryourownrevelationregardingthese.

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhatconcerning these things; I would show unto theworld that faith is things which are hoped forand not seen; wherefore, dispute not because yesee not, for ye receive no witness until afterthe trial of your faith. [receiving revelation andactinguponit]7ForitwasbyfaiththatChristshowedhimselfuntoourfathers,afterhehadrisenfromthedead;60andhe showednothimselfunto themuntil after theyhadfaithinhim;wherefore, itmustneedsbethatsome had faith in him, for he showedhimselfnotuntotheworld.8 But because of the faith of men he has shownhimselfunto theworld, andglorified thenameoftheFather,andpreparedawaythattherebyothersmightbepartakersoftheheavenlygift,61thattheymight hope for those things which they have notseen.9 Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and bepartakersofthegift,ifyewillbuthavefaith.

58Ether3:2259Ether4:7603Nephi11613Nephi12:1-2,D&C4,

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10 Behold it was by faith that they of oldwere called after the holy order of God. [walkedwithGodwithhigherpriesthood]11Wherefore,byfaithwasthelawofMosesgiven.But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared amore excellentway; and it is by faith that it hathbeenfulfilled.[TheLordHimselfsoughtrevelationfromtheFatherandacteduponit.]12 For if there be no faith among the children ofmen God can do no miracle among them;wherefore,heshowednothimselfuntilaftertheirfaith.[FaithleadstotheSecondComforter.]13Behold,itwasthefaithofAlmaandAmulekthatcausedtheprisontotumbletotheearth.14Behold, itwas the faithofNephiandLehi thatwroughtthechangeupontheLamanites,thattheywerebaptizedwithfireandwiththeHolyGhost.15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and hisbrethrenwhichwroughtsogreatamiracleamongtheLamanites.16 Yea, and even all theywhowroughtmiracleswroughtthembyfaith,eventhosewhowerebeforeChristandalso thosewhowereafter.[Allbecauseofseekingrevelationandactinguponit.]17 And it was by faith that the three disciplesobtained a promise that they should not taste ofdeath;andtheyobtainednotthepromiseuntilaftertheirfaith.18 And neither at any time hath any wroughtmiraclesuntilaftertheirfaith;whereforetheyfirstbelievedintheSonofGod.[Seeitwiththeeyeoffaithfirst,thentherealitycomesforth.]19 And there were many whose faith was soexceedingly strong, evenbeforeChrist came,who

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could not be kept fromwithin the veil, [The Lordcannot withhold from such individuals] but trulysaw with their eyes the things which they hadbeheldwith an eye of faith, [They saw it in theirmindsfirst.]andtheywereglad.20Andbehold,wehaveseeninthisrecordthatoneofthesewasthebrotherofJared;forsogreatwashis faith in God, that when God put forthhisfingerhecouldnothideitfromthesightofthebrotherofJared,becauseofhiswordwhichhehadspokenuntohim,whichwordhehadobtainedbyfaith.[WhatwasthewordspokentotheBrotherofJared?Thewordwashisname,meaninghenowknewhistruerelationshipwiththeLordmadebycovenant.]6221And after the brother of Jared had beheld thefingeroftheLord,becauseofthepromisewhichthebrother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lordcould not withhold anything from his sight;whereforeheshowedhimallthings,forhecouldnolonger be kept without the veil. [This is to haveone’scallingandelectionmadesure,thepinnacleoftheSecondComforterexperience.]22Anditisbyfaiththatmyfathershaveobtainedthepromisethatthesethings[TheNewCovenant]should come unto their brethren [Lamaniteremnant] through theGentiles; [TheRestoration]thereforetheLordhathcommandedme,yea,evenJesusChrist.23AndIsaiduntohim:Lord,theGentiles[Secularworld,notoftheHouseofIsrael]willmockatthesethings,becauseofourweaknessinwriting;forLord

62ThisinformationwasgiventohiminafullnesswhenhereceivedhisSecondComforterandhiscallingandelectionwasmadesure.RefertoHowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.

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thouhastmadeusmightyinwordbyfaith,butthouhastnotmadeusmighty inwriting; for thouhastmade all this people that they could speakmuch,because of the Holy Ghostwhich thou hast giventhem;24Andthouhastmadeusthatwecouldwritebutlittle, because of the awkwardness of our hands.Behold,thouhastnotmadeusmightyinwritinglikeuntothebrotherofJared,forthoumadesthimthatthethingswhichhewroteweremightyevenasthouart,untotheoverpoweringofmantoreadthem.25 Thou hast alsomade our words powerful andgreat,eventhatwecannotwritethem;wherefore,when we write we behold our weakness, andstumblebecauseoftheplacingofourwords;andIfearlesttheGentilesshallmockatourwords.26AndwhenIhadsaidthis,theLordspakeuntome,saying: Foolsmock,but they shallmourn; andmygraceissufficientforthemeek,thattheyshalltakenoadvantageofyourweakness;[Onlythehumblefollowers of Christ will have the revelationsufficienttounderstandthejewelsofinformationcontainedinthesewritings.]27AndifmencomeuntomeIwillshowuntothemtheirweakness.[Lackoffaith,lackofthegiftsoftheSpirit.]Igiveuntomenweaknessthattheymaybehumble;andmygraceissufficientforallmenthathumble themselvesbeforeme; for if theyhumblethemselvesbeforeme,andhavefaith inme, thenwillImakeweakthingsbecomestronguntothem.[KeytoreceivingthegiftsoftheSpirit.]28 Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles theirweakness, and I will show unto them that faith,hopeandcharitybringethuntome—thefountainof

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allrighteousness.[ThefoundationwhichbringsallthegiftsoftheSpirit.]29 And I, Moroni, having heard these words,wascomforted,andsaid:OLord,thyrighteouswillbe done, for I know that thou workest unto thechildrenofmenaccordingtotheirfaith;30ForthebrotherofJaredsaiduntothemountainZerin,Remove—anditwasremoved.Andifhehadnothadfaithitwouldnothavemoved;whereforethouworkestaftermenhavefaith.31 For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thydisciples;foraftertheyhadfaith,anddidspeakinthy name, thou didst show thyself unto them ingreatpower.32And I also remember that thou hast said thatthou hast prepared a house for man, yea, evenamong themansions of thy Father, inwhichmanmighthaveamoreexcellenthope;whereforemanmusthope,orhecannotreceivean inheritance intheplacewhichthouhastprepared.33Andagain,Irememberthatthouhastsaidthatthou hast loved the world, even unto the layingdownof thy life for theworld, that thoumightesttakeitagaintoprepareaplaceforthechildrenofmen.34AndnowIknowthatthis lovewhichthouhasthad for the childrenofmen is charity; [Spirituallyreborn in Christ, the Gift of the Holy Ghost.]wherefore, except men shall have charity theycannotinheritthatplacewhichthouhastpreparedinthemansionsofthyFather.35Wherefore,Iknowbythisthingwhichthouhastsaid,thatiftheGentileshavenotcharity,becauseofourweakness,thatthouwiltprovethem,andtakeawaytheirtalent,[ParableoftheTalents/Giftsof

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the Spirit]63 yea, even that which they havereceived,andgiveuntothemwhoshallhavemoreabundantly.36AnditcametopassthatIprayeduntotheLordthat he would give unto the Gentiles grace,[capacity to grow in light] that they might havecharity.[ReceiveChrist,GiftoftheHolyGhost]37AnditcametopassthattheLordsaiduntome:Iftheyhavenotcharityitmatterethnotuntothee,thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garmentsshall bemade clean. And because thou hast seenthyweaknessthoushaltbemadestrong,evenuntothesittingdownintheplacewhichIhavepreparedinthemansionsofmyFather.[EternalLife]

The Brother of Jared learned to seek the Lord’s voice. As wediscussedinthesectionondiscernment,itcanbeacarefulprocessaswebegintoreceiverevelation.WemustlearntolistentowhattheLordwillspeaktous.

“Ifyouwill listentothe firstpromptings,youwillgetitrightninetimesoutoften.”(JosephSmith)64

Historical journal entries are not always accurate and reliablesources,butthereissometruthtothis.Ihavefoundthatthefirstpromptings are often clear revelation. Usually it’s the follow-updoubtsthatcomefromtheAdversary.But,canwenotjudgebasedonwhatisgood?

63HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.64JosephSmith,DiaryofCharlesL.Walker

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MoroniofferscouncilforhowwecantellwhethertherevelationisofGodandhow to receive thegreatestgifts.65Chapter7of theBookofMoroni:

11Forbehold,abitterfountaincannotbringforthgoodwater;neithercanagoodfountainbringforthbitterwater;wherefore,amanbeinga servantofthedevilcannotfollowChrist;andifhefollowChristhecannotbeaservantofthedevil.[Wecanjudgebythefruitwhetheritisgoodorevil.]12Wherefore,allthingswhicharegoodcomethofGod;andthatwhichisevilcomethofthedevil;forthedevilisanenemyuntoGod,andfightethagainsthimcontinually,andinvitethandenticethtosin,andto do that which is evil continually. [Does therevelationpointtowardpersonalgratificationortobuildingtheKingdomofGod?]13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth andenticeth to do good continually;wherefore, everythingwhichinvitethandenticethtodogood,andtolove God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.[Three things; to do good, to love God, to serveHim.]14Wherefore,takeheed,mybelovedbrethren,thatyedonotjudgethatwhichiseviltobeofGod,orthatwhich is good andofGod to be of the devil.[Don’tconfusethetwo.]15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto youtojudge,thatyemayknowgoodfromevil;andtheway to judge isasplain, thatyemayknowwithaperfectknowledge,asthedaylightisfromthedarknight.16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given toevery man, that he may know good from evil;

65James1:17

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wherefore, I showuntoyou theway to judge; forevery thing which inviteth to do good, and topersuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by thepower and gift of Christ; [gift of discernment]whereforeyemayknowwithaperfectknowledgeitisofGod.17Butwhatsoeverthingpersuadethmentodoevil,andbelievenotinChrist,anddenyhim,andservenot God, then ye may know with a perfectknowledge it is of thedevil; for after thismannerdoththedevilwork,forhepersuadethnomantodogood, no, not one; neither do his angels; [darkexaltedspirits/sonsofperdition]neitherdotheywho subject themselves unto him. [disembodiedevilspirits]18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye knowthelightbywhichyemayjudge,whichlight isthelightofChrist,seethatyedonotjudgewrongfully;forwiththatsamejudgmentwhichyejudgeyeshallalsobe judged. [Donot judge forevil those fromwhomtheLordhaschosen.]19Wherefore, Ibeseechofyou,brethren, thatyeshould search diligently [with careful study andpondering prayer] in the light of Christ [His HolySpirit] thatyemayknowgoodfromevil;and ifyewilllayholduponeverygoodthing,andcondemnitnot,yecertainlywillbeachildofChrist.20Andnow,mybrethren,howisitpossiblethatyecanlayholduponeverygoodthing?21Andnow I come to that faith,ofwhich I said Iwouldspeak;andIwilltellyouthewaywherebyyemaylayholdoneverygoodthing.22 For behold, God knowing all things, beingfrom everlasting to everlasting, behold, hesentangelstoministeruntothechildrenofmen,to

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makemanifestconcerningthecomingofChrist;andinChristthereshouldcomeeverygoodthing.23AndGodalsodeclareduntoprophets,byhisownmouth,thatChristshouldcome.24Andbehold,thereweredivers[mysterious]waysthat he did manifest things unto the children ofmen, which were good; and all things which aregoodcomethofChrist;otherwisemenwerefallen,andtherecouldnogoodthingcomeuntothem.25Wherefore,bytheministeringofangels,andbyeverywordwhichproceededforthoutofthemouthofGod,menbegantoexercisefaithinChrist;[seekrevelationandactuponit]andthusbyfaith,theydidlayholduponeverygoodthing;andthusitwasuntilthecomingofChrist.26Andafterthathecamemenalsoweresavedbyfaith in his name; and by faith, they becomethesonsofGod.[receivedthebaptismoffireandGiftoftheHolyGhost]AndassurelyasChristlivethhe spake these words unto our fathers,saying:WhatsoeverthingyeshallasktheFatherinmyname,which isgood, in faithbelieving thatyeshall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.[EverygiftoftheSpirit.]27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,havemiraclesceasedbecauseChristhathascendedintoheaven,andhathsatdownontherighthandofGod,toclaimoftheFatherhisrightsofmercywhichhehathuponthechildrenofmen?28 For he hath answered the ends of the law,[performed the atonement] and he claimeth allthosewhohavefaithinhim;[savesusthroughtheGiftoftheHolyGhost]andtheywhohavefaithinhimwillcleaveuntoeverygoodthing;[seekseverygood gift] wherefore he advocateth the cause

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[diligently seeks our blessing] of the children ofmen;andhedwelletheternallyintheheavens.29 And because he hath done this, my belovedbrethren,havemiraclesceased?[becauseheisfarabove us in Heaven] Behold I say unto you, Nay;neither have angels ceased to minister unto thechildrenofmen.[agiftoftheSpirit]30Forbehold,theyaresubjectuntohim,toministeraccording to the word of his command, showingthemselves unto them of strong faith [seekingrevelation and acting upon it] and a firm mind[filled with virtue and charity] in every formof godliness. [With an eye single to the glory ofGod.]31Andtheofficeoftheirministryistocallmenuntorepentance,[tobringthemtothepresenceoftheLord] and to fulfil and to do the work of thecovenantsoftheFather,[theEverlastingCovenant]whichhehathmadeunto thechildrenofmen, toprepare the way among the children of men, bydeclaringthewordofChristuntothechosenvesselsof the Lord, [fourth estate, the gatherers of Mt.Zion]thattheymaybeartestimonyofhim.32Andbysodoing,theLordGodprepareththewaythat the residue of men [second estate] mayhavefaith inChrist, thattheHolyGhostmayhaveplace in their hearts, according to the powerthereof;andafterthismannerbringethtopasstheFather,thecovenantswhichhehathmadeuntothechildren of men. [Everlasting Covenant madebeforethefoundationoftheworld.]33AndChristhathsaid:Ifyewillhavefaithinmeyeshall have power to do whatsoever thingisexpedientinme.[allgiftsoftheSpirit]

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34Andhehathsaid:Repentallyeendsoftheearth,and comeuntome, andbebaptized inmyname,andhavefaithinme,thatyemaybesaved.35Andnow,mybelovedbrethren,ifthisbethecasethatthesethingsaretruewhichIhavespokenuntoyou,andGodwillshowuntoyou,withpowerandgreatgloryatthelastday,thattheyaretrue,andiftheyaretruehasthedayofmiraclesceased?36 Or have angels ceased to appear unto thechildrenofmen?OrhashewithheldthepoweroftheHolyGhost from them?Orwill he, so long astimeshalllast,ortheearthshallstand,orthereshallbeonemanuponthefacethereoftobesaved?37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faiththat miracles are wrought; and it is by faith thatangelsappearandministeruntomen;wherefore,ifthesethingshaveceasedwobeuntothechildrenofmen,foritisbecauseofunbelief,andallisvain.38Fornomancanbesaved,accordingtothewordsof Christ, save they shall have faith in his name;wherefore, if these things have ceased, then hasfaithceasedalso;andawfulisthestateofman,fortheyareasthoughtherehadbeennoredemptionmade.[withoutthegiftsoftheSpirit,nomancanbesaved]39Butbehold,mybelovedbrethren,Ijudgebetterthingsofyou,forIjudgethatyehavefaithinChristbecauseofyourmeekness;[seekingHiswill]forifyehavenot faith in him then ye arenot fit tobenumberedamongthepeopleofhischurch.[Moroniisspeakingtothemembersofthechurchwhowillreadthesewords.]40Andagain,mybelovedbrethren,Iwouldspeakunto you concerning hope. How is it that ye canattainuntofaith,saveyeshallhavehope?

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41Andwhatisitthatyeshallhopefor?BeholdIsayunto you that ye shall have a hope through theatonement of Christ and the power of hisresurrection, [body raised in glory] to be raisedunto lifeeternal,and thisbecauseofyour faith inhim according to the promise. [EverlastingCovenant]42Wherefore, if amanhave faithhemustneedshave hope; forwithout faith there cannot be anyhope.[hopeisbelieving…]43Andagain,beholdIsayuntoyouthathecannothave faith and hope, save he shall be meek, andlowlyofheart.[fullsubmissiontotheLord]44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for noneisacceptablebeforeGod,savethemeekandlowlyinheart;andifamanbemeekandlowlyinheart,andconfessesbythepoweroftheHolyGhostthatJesusistheChrist,[wemustspeakit]hemustneedshavecharity;[begiventheGiftoftheHolyGhost]forifhehavenotcharityheisnothing;[Youcannotbe one with Christ and inherit Eternal Life]whereforehemustneedshavecharity.45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind,andenviethnot,andisnotpuffedup,seekethnother own, [seeketh the will of the Father] is noteasilyprovoked,[byevil] thinkethnoevil,[donotentertainevilthoughts]andrejoicethnotininiquity[forsakesins]butrejoicethinthetruth,bearethallthings, [that the Lordwould allow to come uponyou]believethallthings,hopethallthings,endurethallthings.[receivetherevelationsoftheLord]46Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,ifyehavenotcharity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.[Never faileth todo the Lord’swill…]Wherefore,cleave unto charity, [Oneness with the Father]

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whichisthegreatestofall,forallthingsmustfail—[allotherthingswillnotbeexalted]47ButcharityisthepureloveofChrist,[TheGiftoftheHolyGhost] and it endureth forever; [EternalLife]andwhosoisfoundpossessedofitatthelastday,itshallbewellwithhim.48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, [sisterstoo] pray unto the Father with all the energy ofheart,thatyemaybefilledwiththislove,[toreceivethe baptism of fire and Gift of the Holy Ghost]which he hath bestowed upon all who aretruefollowersofhisSon,JesusChrist;thatyemaybecomethesonsofGod;thatwhenheshallappearwe shall be like him, [be filledwith lightwithoutspot]forweshallseehimasheis;[facetoface]thatwe may have this hope; that we maybepurifiedevenasheispure.Amen.

Moronithen,inhisfinalsermonoftheBookofMormonwriteshismost importantmessage, continuing his thoughts regarding thegiftsoftheSpiritandrevelationinMoroni10:

19And Iwouldexhort you,mybelovedbrethren,that ye remember that he is the same yesterday,today,andforever,andthatallthesegiftsofwhichIhavespoken,whicharespiritual,[discernedbythespiritualsenses]neverwillbedoneaway,evenaslong as the world shall stand, only according totheunbelief [incorrectapplicationbecauseof thetraditionsofthefathers]ofthechildrenofmen.20Wherefore,theremustbefaith;andiftheremustbefaiththeremustalsobehope;andiftheremustbehopetheremustalsobecharity.21 And except ye have charity [Gift of the HolyGhost]yecaninnowisebesavedinthekingdomof

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God;neithercanyebesavedinthekingdomofGodifyehavenotfaith;[seekrevelationandactuponit]neithercanyeifyehavenohope.[bebelieving]22 And if ye have no hope ye must needs beindespair;anddespaircomethbecauseofiniquity.[boundtooursins]23AndChristtrulysaiduntoourfathers:Ifyehavefaithyecandoallthingswhichareexpedientuntome.[youwillbeaservant]24AndnowIspeakuntoalltheendsoftheearth—that ifthedaycomeththatthepowerandgiftsofGod shall be done away among you, it shallbebecauseofunbelief.25Andwobeuntothechildrenofmenifthisbethecase;forthereshallbenonethatdoethgoodamongyou,nonotone.Foriftherebeoneamongyouthatdoethgood,heshallworkbythepowerandgiftsofGod.[YoumustexercisethegiftsoftheSpirit,orallwouldfail!]26 And wo unto them who shall do these things[gifts of the Spirit] away and die, for they die intheirsins,andtheycannotbesavedinthekingdomof God; and I speak it according to the words ofChrist;andIlienot.27AndIexhortyoutorememberthesethings;forthetimespeedilycomeththatyeshallknowthatIlienot,foryeshallseemeatthebarofGod;andtheLord God will say unto you: Did I not declaremywordsuntoyou,whichwerewrittenbythisman,likeasonecryingfromthedead,yea,evenasonespeakingoutofthedust?[ThosewhoreadtheBookofMormon,whomightthatbe?]28 I declare these things unto the fulfilling of theprophecies. And behold, they shall proceed forthout of themouth of the everlasting God; and his

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wordshallhissforthfromgenerationtogeneration.[beganin1830untilourgeneration]29AndGodshallshowuntoyou,thatthatwhichIhavewrittenistrue.30 And again I would exhort you that yewould comeuntoChrist, and lay hold upon everygoodgift,[allofthem]andtouchnottheevilgift,nor theunclean thing. [makeyourselfholy to theLord]

RevelationisthelanguageoftheLord.Itcanbesubtle,direct,orearth-shattering;butformostpeopleitistooconfusingtoattempt,to understand, and explore. The prophet Mormon councils usstronglytobelieveinrevelation:

“Yea,wountohimthatshalldenytherevelationsofthe Lord, and that shall say the Lord no longerworkethbyrevelation,orbyprophecy,orbygifts,orbytongues,orbyhealings,orbythepoweroftheHolyGhost!Yea,andwountohimthatshallsayatthat day, to get gain, that there can be nomiraclewroughtbyJesusChrist; forhethatdoeththisshallbecomelikeuntothesonofperdition,forwhomtherewasnomercy,accordingtothewordofChrist!”3Nephi29:6-7“And again I speak unto you who deny therevelationsofGod,andsaythattheyaredoneaway,that thereareno revelations, norprophecies, norgifts, nor healing, nor speakingwith tongues, andtheinterpretationoftongues;beholdIsayuntoyou,he that denieth these things knoweth notthe gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read thescriptures;ifso,hedoesnotunderstandthem.Fordo we not read that God is the same yesterday,

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today, and forever, and in him there isno variableness neither shadow of changing?”Mormon9:7-9

Ihavesharedmanythoughtsregardingthegiftofrevelation.InthebookHowToOpenYourSpiritualEyesIwilldemonstrateindetailhowtopracticeanddevelopthesevariousgifts.66TheGiftofRevelationisafoundationalspiritualaptitudethatmustbeacquiredinordertoexerciseallthegiftsoftheSpirit.Everythinghingesuponit.Sweepawayallyourdoubtsandotherrestraintsaswehavediscussedpreviously,andpreparetoopenyourspiritualsenses.

4)GiftofForgivenessIwasoncewithagroupofpeople,maybetwelve inattendance,whenIsawtheHeavensopenandapillaroffirecomedownuponthepeopleintheroom.TheLorddescendedandwentaroundtheroomtouchingeachpersonontheirforehead,exceptforthree.Ididn’t say anything at the time and wondered why this hadoccurred. Later,when I asked the Lordwhy threeof thepeoplewerenottouchedHesaid,“Becausetheyhavenotyetlearnedtoforgive.Allothersreceivedaforgivenessoftheirsins.”Itwasmadecleartomethatthiswasnotonlymeantforthemtoforgiveothers,buttoalsoforgivethemselves.TheGiftofForgiveness,aswithanygift,oftenrequiresustopraytotheLordthatHewillbestowituponus.TheLordfreelyforgives;thatistheeasypart.Allthatisrequiredisthatweseekforgiveness

66HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,pg.40-89

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from Him. The part that is often a stumbling block67 is ourreluctancetoforgiveothers,orourselves.

“Yea,andasoftenasmypeoplerepentwillIforgivethem their trespasses against me.68 And ye shallalsoforgiveoneanotheryourtrespasses;forverilyIsay unto you, he that forgiveth nothis neighbor’s trespasses when he says that herepents, the same hath brought himself undercondemnation.”69(Mosiah26:30-31)

JosephSmithaddedabeautiful insight to theprocessofseekingforgiveness.

“Oneofthemostpleasingscenesthatcanoccuronearth, when a sin has been committed by onepersonagainstanother, is, to forgivethatsin;andthenaccordingtothesublimeandperfectpatternoftheSavior,praytoourFatherinheaventoforgive[thesinner]also.”70

Tothenpraythatthesinnermayalsoreceiveforgivenessischarityofthemostsublime.OnanotheroccasionJosephsaid:

“Everkeepinexercisetheprincipleofmercy,andbereadytoforgiveourbrotheronthefirstintimationsof repentance,andasking forgiveness;andshouldwe even forgive our brother, or even our enemy,

672Nephi4:29-3368Moroni6:869D&C64:7-1470HistoryoftheChurch,6:245;from“AFriendlyHinttoMissouri,”anarticlewrittenunderthedirectionofJosephSmith,Mar.8,1844,Nauvoo,Illinois,publishedinTimesandSeasons,Mar.15,1844,p.473.

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beforehe repentorask forgiveness,ourheavenlyFatherwouldbeequallyasmercifuluntous.”71

It is a divine manifestation of this gift when we find ourselvesservingtheverypeoplethathaveabusedusorsinnedagainstus.Is not this what the Savior did? Joseph Smith was recorded assaying:

“It grievesme that there is no fuller fellowship; ifonemembersufferallfeelit;byunionoffeelingweobtainpowerwithGod.ChristsaidHecametocallsinners to repentance, to save them. Christ wascondemnedbytheself-righteousJewsbecauseHetooksinnersintoHissociety;Hetookthemupontheprinciple that they repented of their sins. … If[sinners]repent,weareboundtotakethem,andbykindness sanctify and cleanse them from allunrighteousnessbyour influenceinwatchingoverthem. … Nothing is so much calculated to leadpeopletoforsakesinastotakethembythehand,andwatchoverthemwithtenderness.”72

AndthenJosephgivesusaninsightintothenatureofmercy:

“Patience is heavenly, obedience is noble,forgivenessismerciful,andexaltationisgodly;andhethatholdsoutfaithfultotheendshallinnowise

71HistoryoftheChurch,3:383;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonJuly2,1839,inMontrose,Iowa;reportedbyWilfordWoodruffandWillardRichards.72HistoryoftheChurch,5:23–24;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonJune9,1842,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyElizaR.Snow.

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losehisreward.AgoodmanwillendureallthingstohonorChrist.”73

WhentheLordcametothepeople inbountiful74andgavethemthe Beatitudes. This beautifully crafted blueprint is the Lord’smethodforcomingtoHimandreceivingtheSecondComforter.Ithasanimportantcomponentrelatedtoforgiveness.

3Yea,blessedarethepoorinspiritwhocomeuntome,[Brokenheartandcontritespirit] fortheirs isthe kingdom of heaven. [They shall come to theThrone.]4Andagain,blessedareall they thatmourn, [CryuntotheLord]fortheyshallbecomforted.[Ishallbewiththem.]5 And blessed are the meek, [Submit to therevelations received.] for they shall inherit theearth.[ShallstandwiththeChurchoftheFirstbornwhentheearthischangedandexalted.]6Andblessedarealltheywhodohungerandthirstafterrighteousness,[Thosewhoseekmywillaboveall things.] for they shall be filled with the HolyGhost.[TheirspiritsshallbequickenedandbeonewithMe.]7 And blessed are the merciful, [Those who willforgive.] for they shall obtain mercy. [Grace ordivineprogressionthroughChrist.]8Andblessedareallthepureinheart,[Realintent,pureloveofGod.]fortheyshallseeGod.9Andblessedareallthepeacemakers,[Thosewhobring souls to Me.] for they shall be called the

73HistoryoftheChurch,6:427;fromaletterfromJosephSmithandHyrumSmithtoAbijahTewksbury,June4,1844,Nauvoo,Illinois;AbijahTewksbury’slastnameisincorrectlyspelled“Tewkesbury”inHistoryoftheChurch.743Nephi12:3-10

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children of God. [CalledMy sons and daughters,ServantsoftheMost-High.]10Andblessedarealltheywhoarepersecutedformy name’s sake, [Willing to give up their life forme.]fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.[TheyshallcometotheThrone.]75

Such“Blessed”76peoplecanonlybereceivedbytheLord if theypartake of the Gift of Forgiveness. “For if ye forgive men theirtrespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But ifyeforgivenotmentheirtrespasses,neitherwillyourFatherforgiveyourtrespasses.”77The Lord taught a great lesson toHis disciplePeterwhenaskedregardingforgiveness:

21ThencamePetertohim,andsaid,Lord,howoftshallmybrothersinagainstme,andIforgivehim?tillseventimes?7822Jesussaithuntohim, I saynotuntothee,Untilseventimes:but,Untilseventytimesseven.23Thereforeisthekingdomofheavenlikeneduntoa certain king, which would take accountofhisservants.24 And when he had begun to reckon, one wasbrought unto him,which owed him ten thousandtalents.

75Readmyfullcommentsregardingthistranslationat:https://purerevelations.wordpress.com/2017/03/06/the-beatitudes-a-blueprint-of-the-second-comforter/76AnointedoftheLord77Matthew6:14-1578D&C98:37-48HowtheLordwillhandletheforgivenessofthosewhocontinuetosin.

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25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lordcommanded him to be sold, and his wife, andchildren, and all that he had, and payment to bemade.26Theservantthereforefelldown,andworshippedhim,saying,Lord,havepatiencewithme,andIwillpaytheeall.27 Then the lord of that servantwasmovedwithcompassion,and loosedhim,and forgavehim thedebt.28Butthesameservantwentout,andfoundoneofhis fellowservants, which owed him an hundredpence:andhelaidhandsonhim,andtookhimbythethroat,saying,Paymethatthouowest.29Andhisfellowservantfelldownathisfeet,andbesoughthim,saying,Havepatiencewithme,andIwillpaytheeall.30Andhewouldnot:butwentandcasthim intoprison,tillheshouldpaythedebt.31Sowhenhisfellowservantssawwhatwasdone,theywereverysorry,andcameandtolduntotheirlordallthatwasdone.32Thenhislord,afterthathehadcalledhim,saiduntohim,Othouwickedservant,Iforgavetheeallthatdebt,becausethoudesiredstme:33Shouldestnotthoualsohavehadcompassiononthyfellowservant,evenasIhadpityonthee?34Andhislordwaswroth,anddeliveredhimtothetormentors,tillheshouldpayallthatwasdueuntohim.35SolikewiseshallmyheavenlyFatherdoalsountoyou,ifyefromyourheartsforgivenoteveryonehisbrothertheirtrespasses.79(Matt18:21-35)

79 Ephesians4:30-32

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Itshouldbeunderstood,thatourLordismercifulandjust;alovingFatherwhodesirestoblessuswitheverygiftweneedtoriseabovethedarknessofthisworld.Formany,thepainorstrifeweholdinour hearts towards others, and even ourselves,may prevent usfromreceivingafullnessofHislight.Jesussaid,“Judgenot,andyeshallnotbejudged:condemnnot,andyeshallnotbecondemned:forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”80 Does this not also apply toyourself?TheLordrevealedinHiswordsthroughJosephSmith:

“And they who remain shall also be quickened;nevertheless, they shall return again to their ownplace,toenjoythatwhichtheyarewillingtoreceive,becausetheywerenotwillingtoenjoythatwhichtheymighthavereceived.Forwhatdothitprofitamanifagiftisbestoweduponhim,andhereceivenotthegift?Behold,herejoicesnotinthatwhichisgivenuntohim,neither rejoices inhimwho is thegiverofthegift.(D&C88:32-33)

The gift of Forgiveness from sin requires us to forgive everyone(includingourselves)inorderthatwetoomayreceivethisgift.TheLordtaughthowthiscanbedone.

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say,Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed bethyname.Thykingdomcome.Thywillbedone,asinheaven,soinearth.[AllthingsaccordingtoThywill.]Giveusdaybydayourdailybread.[Blessuswithourneeds.]Andforgiveusoursins;forwealsoforgiveeveryonethatisindebtedtous.[Forgiveusas we forgive others.] And lead us not intotemptation;butdeliverusfromevil.”[Blessuswithdiscernment.](Luke11:2-4)

80Luke6:37

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In the Lord’s first example ever given of a proper prayer to theFather,Helaysitoutassuch:

1. AddressourHolyFather.2. WeacceptHiswillinourbehalf.3. Weaskforwhatweneed.4. Weask for forgiveness, aswe forgive others. [Gift of

Forgiveness]5. WeaskfortheGiftofDiscernment.

AreyouprayingthatyouwillhavetheGiftofForgiveness?Areyouprayingforother’sforgiveness?TheApostlePaulsaid,“Towhomyeforgiveanything,Iforgivealso:forifIforgaveanything,towhomI forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;LestSatanshouldgetanadvantageofus:forwearenotignorantof his devices.”81 Satan will use our lack of faith in the gift offorgivenessagainstus.WemustasktheLordforthisgift.InreferencetomyoriginalstorywhenIwasgatheredtogetherinagroup:whywasthepillaroffire,orbaptismoffireaccompaniedbytheLordforgivingallthosewhowereatthissacredgathering?Oneofthethingsthatalwaystranspireswhenabaptismoffireoccursisaforgivenessofsins.82Anotherthingthatcanoccurisahealingofourbodies.83Eachtimetheglory,or fireofheaven, ispouredoverusweareforgivenifwearewillingtoforgivealso.ConsiderthefollowingstoryfromtheBookofMark:

81 2Corinthians2:10-1182Helaman5:41-48,3Nephi9:20,Ether12:14,D&C33:11-12,OrsonPratt,whowrotein1840thatJosephSmithwastold“thathissinswereforgiven.”PapersofJosephSmith,OrsonPratt,1:391,TheeventwasalsorecordedintheDoctrineandCovenantsasamanifestationpriortothatofMoroni(1823)thatassured“thisfirstelderthathehadreceivedaremissionofhissins”D&C20:5.SuchoccurredwhenJosephreceivedhisbaptismoffireashekneltinthepresenceoftheFatherandtheSon.83RefertochapteronTheGiftofHealing,pg.

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“WhenJesussawtheirfaith,hesaiduntothesickofthepalsy,Son,thysinsbeforgiventhee.Buttherewere certain of the scribes sitting there, andreasoning in theirhearts,Whydoth thismanthusspeakblasphemies?who can forgive sins butGodonly?’“AndimmediatelywhenJesusperceivedinhisspiritthat they so reasoned within themselves, he saidunto them, Why reason ye these things in yourhearts?Whetherisiteasiertosaytothesickofthepalsy,Thysinsbeforgiventhee;ortosay,Arise,andtakeupthybed,andwalk?ButthatyemayknowthattheSonofmanhathpoweronearthtoforgivesins, (he saith to the sick of thepalsy,) I say untothee,Arise,andtakeupthybed,andgothywayintothinehouse.Andimmediatelyhearose,tookupthebed,andwentforthbeforethemall;insomuchthattheywereallamazed,andglorifiedGod,saying,Weneversawitonthisfashion.”(Mark2:5-12)

Forgivenesscanbeextremelydifficult,andnothinglessthandivinehelpmayberequiredtoovercometheemotionaltraumaofabuseandsuffering that is toooverwhelming.Yearsofbottleduppainandmemories can be seemingly impossible to let go. There areoftenfamiliarspiritswhotellusrepeatedlythatwearenotworthy,that we are the deepest of sinners, and that we are not goodenough.Will youbelieve that theLord is truthfulwhenHesays,“ForIwillbemercifultotheirunrighteousness,andtheirsinsandtheir iniquities will I remember no more.”84 Remember theexperience of Alma the Younger? He was overcome withhopelessness because of the seriousness of his sins after hisencounterwiththeangel;andforthreedayshesuffered.84Hebrew8:12

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“As I was thus racked with torment, while I washarrowed up by the memory of my many sins,behold,IrememberedalsotohaveheardmyfatherprophesyuntothepeopleconcerningthecomingofoneJesusChrist,aSonofGod,toatoneforthesinsoftheworld.Now,asmymindcaughtholduponthisthought,Icriedwithinmyheart:OJesus,thouSonofGod,havemercyonme,whoam in thegallofbitterness, and am encircled about by theeverlastingchainsofdeath.Andnow,behold,whenIthoughtthis,Icouldremembermypainsnomore;yea,Iwasharrowedupbythememoryofmysinsnomore.Andoh,whatjoy,andwhatmarvelouslightIdid behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy asexceedingaswasmypain!(Alma36:17-20)

ThegiftofForgivenesswillpavethewayforallthegiftsoftheSpirit,whichwill allowus tohave a relationshipwithour Lordbeyondanythingpossible.BecauseofHimallmaybemadeclean,white,andholywithoutspot.Ifyouneedthisgift,cryouttotheLordandHewillcomfortyou,thenyouwillbereadyforthebaptismoffireandalltheothergiftsoftheSpirit.

5)FaithtobeHealedThere aremany good Christians todaywho suffer from physicalafflictionsthatdesiretobehealed.Manyprayfordeliveranceandmostwonderwhentheywillseethemiracle.Ibelievethisgiftisfarmore than to only believe you can be healed from a physicalailment.Thephrase in itself iscouplingthewords“faith”andto“heal.”Youmight rephrase it like this:tohavethegiftwhereby

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you canactupon revelation to receivehealing,bothphysicallyandspiritually.We’vealreadydiscussedthegiftofRevelation,whichimpliesthathaving “great faith” Youmust seek revelation and act upon it.85Whenweareseekingaspecialblessingregardingourhealth,eithertoourbodyorspirit,itwillrequirerevelation;whichonlytheLordcanprovide.Someonewho isseekinganswerstohowtheycan improvetheirspirituality, or overcome a physical ailment may find this giftespeciallyuseful.InthisexamplefromtheSavior’slife,thewomanreceiveda revelationby the Spirit forhow she couldbehealed.KnowingthatJesuswasintheareaandHisreputationforhealingthesick,thiswomanwonderedhowshecouldpossiblyobtainthisblessing.Shehadsufferedformanyyears,andundoubtedlybeenprayingfordeliverancefromhersuffering.Shereceivedthe“FaithtobeHealed.”

“And, behold, awoman,whichwas diseasedwithan issue of blood twelve years, camebehindhim,andtouchedthehemofhisgarment:For she saidwithin herself, If Imay but touch hisgarment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned himabout,andwhenhesawher,hesaid,Daughter,beofgoodcomfort; thy faithhathmadetheewhole.Andthewomanwasmadewholefromthathour.”(Matthew9:20-22)

It is interesting to note that she had to do somethingunconventional,atestofherfaith,inordertoreceivetheblessing.ThereismuchspeculationregardingherkindofailmentandwhatpartofHisgarmentshetouchedandthedeepermeaningbehind85Matthew8:8-10,Matthew15:28,Alma19:9-10,“3Nephi19:35,Moroni10:11,Moses7:13

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all that. Regardless, the lesson to be learned is that when wereceiveaclearthought,evenifsomewhatodd,weshouldact.TheGiftofHealingoftencomesintheformofanunconventionalactoffaith. Moses was often instructed to do unconventional thingsamongsthispeople.

“Andhedidstraitentheminthewildernesswithhisrod;fortheyhardenedtheirhearts,evenasyehave;and the Lord straitened them because of theiriniquity.Hesentfieryflyingserpentsamongthem;andaftertheywerebittenhepreparedawaythattheymightbehealed;andthelaborwhichtheyhadto perform was to look; and because ofthe simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it,thereweremanywhoperished.”(1Nephi17:41)

InthecaseoftheIsraelites,theLordallowedthemtobeafflictedtostraightenthemfromtheiriniquity.Sometimesourstrugglesareablessing,aswelearntobehumbledandtoseektheLordinfaith.Eventoday,manywilldismissthegiftsoftheSpiritasunimportantand without scientific credibility worth pursuing. People oftenpreferdoctorsandclinicsoverspiritualhealings.86

“Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, andbeholdatypewasraisedupinthewilderness,thatwhosoeverwouldlookuponitmightlive.Andmanydidlookandlive.Butfewunderstoodthemeaningofthosethings,andthisbecauseofthehardnessoftheir hearts. But there were many who were sohardenedthattheywouldnotlook,thereforetheyperished. Now the reason they would not look isbecause they did not believe that it would heal

86Iamnotsuggestingweremovemedicaltreatments,forsometimestheLordwill,throughHisSpirit,haveusseeksuchthings;butwhenwehavethegiftofHealingwecanoftenfindacureoutsidethemedicalnorm.

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them. O my brethren, if ye could be healed bymerely casting about your eyes that ye might behealed,would ye not behold quickly, orwould yerather harden your hearts in unbelief, and beslothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes,thatyemightperish”(Alma33:19-20)

The“hardnessofourhearts”isourinabilitytobelievethatwhichisoftheSpirit.ThatiswhytheLordrequiresabrokenheartandacontritespirittoapproachHim.Thesimplenessofthewayisclear;simplybelieve.Ifwewillbut“castoureyes”inthedirectionofthesacred thoughts of revelatory experience, we will be openingourselvestothemanygiftsofthespirit,includingthegifttohavethefaithtobehealed.When Isaiah was called of God to preach repentance to theIsraelites,Hesaidsomethingveryprofound:

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord,saying:WhomshallIsend,andwhowillgoforus?ThenIsaid:HereamI;sendme.And he said: Go and tell this people—Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not. [They blocked themselves from hearing the Spirit of the Lord.] Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes—lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and be healed. (2Nephi16:8-10)

Because of the hardness of the Israelites from hearing the Spirit of the Isaiah’s message, they could not be “converted and healed.” There is a connection between our trust in God and our ability to be healed.87 In this case, the nation was sick with idolatry and

87D&C112:13

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wickedness. A healing of spirit is required before a healing of the body.88 To have the faith to be healed requires a cleansing of the influence of the Adversary.89

“Andhewascastingoutadevil,anditwasdumb.Anditcametopass,whenthedevilwasgoneout,thedumbspake;andthepeoplewondered.”(Luke11:14)“Whentheevenwascome,theybroughtuntohimmanythatwerepossessedwithdevils:andhecastoutthespritswithhisword,andhealedallthatweresick:”(Matthew8:16)

ToreceiveahealingfirstrequiresthattheAdversaryordevilbecastout.90Thiscannotbedonewithoutrevelationonthepartofonebeinghealed,ortheoneaskinginbehalfoftheafflictedbecausetheydonothavethepowertoaskintheirownbehalf.Noteverypersonafflictedispossessedofadevil,butsuchbeingsgravitatetopain,discouragement,anddepressionlikemothstoaflame.Theirinfluencecanexacerbatetheproblem.Inmanycases,acastingoutisrequired.It is likely alarming to someone unfamiliar with evil spiritpossession to think that sickness may be accompanied by suchthings.Rarelyisittotheextentthatapersoniscompletelywithoutcontrol of their bodily functions. What usually occurs is that

883Nephi9:13893Nephi7:2290Nopersonwantstothinkthattheyarepossessedofanevilspirit.Everypersoninmortalitywillexperiencebodilypossession.Itcanafflictusbothmentally,physically,andspiritually;buttheLordprovideshealingtoallthosewhoexercisefaithinHim.Formorehelpinthisareaofstudyreferto:HowToHaveYourSecondComforter,pg.69-104

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wheneveraspiritmergeswithatemporalbodythey91feeladull,muted sensation similar to what the person afflicted is feeling.Thesespiritscravesuchinteraction,andthereforeseekoutthosewhoaresuffering.Ourspiritsarecapableofhearingtheirthoughtsto us, which often add the despair and negative thinking. ByremovingthemandbringingintoustheLord’slightthehealingcanbegin.Itisgoodtobeawareofwhatmaybehappeningifweareseekingthegifttobehealed.Sometimesthepersonafflictedisunabletoseekablessingontheirownanditrequiresthefaithofanothertohealthem.WhentheLord’sdisciplesinGalileecouldnotcastouttheevilspiritinansickboy,theboy’sfatherpleadwithJesustohealhim.

21Andheaskedhisfather,Howlongisitagosincethiscameuntohim?Andhesaid,Ofachild.22Andofttimes ithathcasthimintothefire,andintothewaters,todestroyhim:butifthoucanstdoanything,havecompassiononus,andhelpus.23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth.24Andstraightwaythefatherofthechildcriedout,and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thoumineunbelief.[This“cryingout” infaithgavetheFatherwhatwasneeded,thegifttohavethefaithtobehealed.]25WhenJesussawthat thepeoplecamerunningtogether, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying untohim, Thou dumb and deaf spirit,92 I charge thee,comeoutofhim,andenternomoreintohim.[Hefirstnamedthespiritandcommandedittoleave.]

91WhenIusetheword“they”Iamreferringtothevariouskindsofdarkspiritsthatafflictus.92ItisinterestingtonotethattheLordwouldoftennamethesedarkspiritsbeforecastingthemout;apatterntodealingwiththeAdversary.

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26Andthespiritcried,andrenthimsore,andcameoutofhim:andhewasasonedead;insomuchthatmanysaid,Heisdead.27ButJesustookhimbythehand,and liftedhimup;andhearose.[Hehealedhisbody.]28 And when he was come into the house, hisdisciplesaskedhimprivately,Whycouldnotwecasthimout?29Andhesaiduntothem,Thiskindcancomeforthbynothing,butbyprayerandfasting.[Itisbyprayerand fasting that we receive revelation. Withoutexercisingfaithuntorevelation,youcannotknowhowtobehealed,ortoheal.](Mark9:21-29)

Ifweareafflictedinmindorbody,eitherspiritually,orphysically,wecanaskforthefaithtobehealed.ThisgiftoftheSpirit isforthosewhoplacetheirtrustandbeliefinJesusChrist.TheLordmayhealyouimmediately,orlikethewomanwhotouchedthehemoftheLord’s robe,wait twelveyearsbefore themiracle.Therearetimeswhenthesufferingisnotimmediatelytakenfromus.Why?InthecaseofthewomanandChrist,sheexperiencedsomethingbeautiful and life changing. She became an example of faith formillions.WemustseektheLord’scouncil,insights,andrevelationgiventousbytheSpiritoftheLordtoknowtheanswerstowhatwemustdo.PrayandaskfortheGifttobehealed,andyouwillbemadeclean.93

6)FaithtoHealAfterwehavethefaithtobehealed,weoftendesirethefaithtohealotherstoo.Thisisawonderfulgiftforthosewhodesiretobe

93Ether12:37,1Nephi12:11,Alma32:42

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aservantoftheLord.Canthisbedonewithourownlight,ormustwereceivepriesthoodthroughproperchannelsofauthority?Ofourownselves,wecanperformvariousactsofhealing.Somepeople study for years to become doctors, nurses, or to studynutritionandexercise.Peoplebecomeskilled inphysicaltherapyandothertypesofhealingskills.Oftenthesepracticesrequiregreatsums ofmoney to learn and to be accreditedwith professionalstatus;andtheyusuallychargefortheservicetheyrender.Therearepeoplewhohavelearnedhowtodoalltypesofspiritualhealing too, drawing upon energy within themselves and theirsurroundingstotryandhelpcleanseandrestorethebody.Muchofthesetypesofhealinghaveexistedforthousandsofyearsandarepopularamongthoseseekingalternatetypesofhomeopathichealing, natural remedies, or energy healing. Most of thesesystems are connected to a spiritual awareness; but not all areChrist-centered.Allformsofhealingmustbeusedwithcaution.Withoutrevelationfrom the Lord, how safe are you? A doctor’s “practice” mayprescribethewrongmedicationorcausegreaterharmthangood.Aspiritualhealermayunintentionallycausesomeonetohavemoredarkness,becauseofunawarenessofwhattheyaredealingwith.Bothof thesemethods, Ibelieve,canheal;but therearealwaysrisks.94

94“Ithenaskedaseriesofquestionsregardinghealingandgivingblessings.IaskedifIshouldreadbooksfromvariousauthorstolearnnewideasregardinghealing.TheLordtoldmethatitwouldhelpmetohavesomeideas,butthatIwouldlearnfarmorefrommyexperiencesintheHeavenlyRealm.”WitnessoftheEndofTimes,Pg.38

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The“FaithtoHeal”isaspiritualgiftrequiringnoordination.Inthechurch,weoftenassumethatonlythosewhohavebeenordainedto theMelchizedek Priesthood have the authority to perform ahealing blessing. This is not true. They have church authority toperform perfunctory duties, but spiritual privilege is conditionaluponworthiness.95ThekeytohealingisourleveloffaithandourrelationshipwiththeLord.Themorefaithweexercise,themorewecometoknowtheLord;Hisattributes,Hisways,andHispower.Again,wemusthavefaith,ortoseekrevelationandthentoactuponit.96IfwehavearelationshipwiththeLord,97andwearefilledwithlight,98wewillbeabletodiscernwhatandhowwearetoperformahealing;andGodwillmakeitso.Thedegreeandeaseinwhichweaccomplishthefaithtohealwillbedetermineduponthedegreeof lightwecarry,andalsothefaithandlightoftheonereceivingtheblessing.ThefirsttimeIevergaveapriesthoodhealingblessingIwasa19-year-old missionary in a foreign country with no experience orknowledge of how to perform a blessing. My companion hadsuddenlybeenovercomebyagrandmalseizure.Helayonthefloorof our apartment, foaming at themouth; and Iwas scared. Theothertwoeldersdidn’twanttogivetheblessing.IprayedtotheLord,standingthere,myeyesclosed,“Father,whatdoIdo?”Iwastold to placemyhands uponhis head and speak. I did as Iwasimpressed,andsimplysaid,“InthenameofJesusChristIcommand

95D&C121:34-4696“Orsupposeamanhadthegiftofhealingorpowertoworkmiracles,thatwouldnotthenbeknown;itwouldrequiretimeandcircumstancestocallthesegiftsintooperation.”HistoryoftheChurch,5:26–31;bracketedwordsinsecondparagraphinoriginal;punctuationandgrammarmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;from“GiftoftheHolyGhost,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,June15,1842,pp.823–25;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.97Ameasureofourpriesthood.98D&C88:11-13,67-68

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youtobehealed.”Ifeltawaveofenergygothroughthetopofmyheadandoutthroughmyhands.Heimmediatelyrelaxedandfellasleep.Recently,theLordspoketomeregardingthenatureofhealing:

“Those who do not have their sealing power canhealbyfaithandprayer,ifitisaccordingtomywill.Usinganointing,touching,prayer,andinvolvingtherecipientof theblessing inproclaiming their faith,theycanbehealed.”

“IaskedaboutthetimeswhenIhaveexercisedfaith,butpeoplewerenothealedandIwastoldthattheywereintheprocessofhealing,butbecauseoflackof faith, itwas not complete. It is a good idea toremind the one being blessed that they mustcontinue to pray and exercise faith in theblessing.”99

DuringtheLord’sministry,Hehadafullnessofthesealingpowerandwasabletohealeveryone.100Wemustseekbyrevelation,toprayandfastmuchtoknowexactlywhatmustoccurtohelpthegiftofhealingtotakeplace.Thereisanotherfactorinvolvedinexercisingthegifttoheal:

“Requirenotmiracles,exceptIshallcommandyou,except casting out devils, healing the sick, andagainst poisonous serpents, and against deadlypoisons;Andthesethingsyeshallnotdo,exceptitberequiredofyoubythemwhodesireit,thatthe

99WitnessoftheEndofTimes,Pg.29100Luke6:17-19

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scriptures might be fulfilled; for ye shall doaccordingtothatwhichiswritten.”(D&C24:13-14)

First,wemusthavetheLord’spermission.101Often,apriesthoodholder assumes because they were formally given priesthoodauthoritythattheyalwayshavetheLord’sauthoritytoact.Again,revelationiskeytomovingforward.Second,wemustbeaskedforthehealing.Wecanofferablessing,butneverperformunlessitisofficiallyrequestedbytherecipient,or the guardian if the recipient is incapable of asking forthemselves.

“TheLordsaidthathealingisverysimple.WhentheexpresseddesiresoftheonebeinghealedandtheLord are in sync, that the person offering theblessing expresses those intentions and creates aconduit by which light and glory are transferred.This is why when giving a healing blessing it isimportanttofirstreceivepermissionfromtheLord,thentohavetherecipientexpresstheirfaith.Iftheyarenotabletodothisbecauseoftheirinfirmity,alovedonecandoitforthem.Tohelponetoimproveorexpresstheirfaith,sometimesitisimportanttohavethemdoanactwhichrequiresthemtoexpressfaith.”102

WhenJesuswalkedtheearth,Hewouldoftenrequiretherecipientofthehealingblessingtoexpressnotonlywhattheydesired,103butwhether they believed they could be healed. The healer maychoosetoaskiftheybelieveinJesusChristandwhethertheycan

101D&C35:9102WitnessoftheEndofTimes,Pg.38103Luke17:11-19

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behealedthroughablessing.104Jesuswouldoftenrequirethemtodosomeactoffaith;towashthemselves,standup,togoanddosomething.Themorefaithwecanhelptherecipientoftheblessingtoexpress,thebetterwillbetheresult.WeshouldhavetheLord’sspiritofrevelationhelpustoknowwhattosay.I have personally seen great healings performed by others, andhavealsobeenblessedtobetheLord’stool inthisregard. InallcasesIaskforpermissionandrevelationbeforehand.Thismayhelpme know where to touch the person and what direction theblessingwillgo.Iapproachtheblessingwithconfidence.OftentheLordwillimpressuponmewhattosayorasktherecipienttodotohelpthembolstertheirfaith.105SometimestheLordtellsme,“No,they cannot be healed of their malady; this is part of theirexperience.”106ThedifferencebetweenhavingsealingpowerandtheGifttoHealisthedegreeinwhichtheLord’sSpiritisuponyou.SomeonewhoisgreatlyintunewiththeSpirithasasteadystreamofrevelation,buttheSealingPowerislikeafirehoseofconnectivitytotheLordbycomparison.Therearenobarriers;allisbeforethem.TheLordrevealedthroughJosephSmithanordertothesethings,butalsoawarning:

104Alma15:8-11105TheLordsaidtomeasIstoodbeforeHim:“Whenofferingablessingofhealing,theenlightenedpriesthoodholdermustalwaysclearawaythedevils.First,bydeclaration,thenbynametellthemtoleave.Second,ifthatisnotsuccessful,theycalldownthelightofHeaventofilltheperson.Thisisusuallydoneafterthepersondeclarestheirdesireandexercisestheirfaith.Third,thedevilsarecastoutandsinsareforgivenasthebaptismoffireandgloryfillstheirspace.Thehealingthencomesnaturallyasrevelationisreceivedandtheblessingdeclared.Thefaithfulnessofthepersonreceivingisrequiredtokeepthemselveswhole,(withouttheinfirmity)otherwise,eventuallythesameproblemwillreoccur.106D&C42:48DependingupontheLord’swill.

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“Andthesesignsshallfollowthemthatbelieve—Inmyname they shall domanywonderfulworks; Inmynametheyshallcastoutdevils;Inmynametheyshallhealthesick;Inmynametheyshallopentheeyesoftheblind,andunstoptheearsofthedeaf;Andthetongueofthedumbshallspeak;Andifanymanshalladministerpoisonuntothemitshallnothurt them; And the poison of a serpent shall nothavepowertoharmthem.”“Buta commandment I giveunto them, that theyshallnotboastthemselvesofthesethings,neitherspeakthembeforetheworld; for thesethingsaregiven unto you for your profit and for salvation.”(D&C84:65-73)

Thegiftofhealing,aswellasanyspiritualgift,ifwefindourselvesoverlyimpressedwithourselves,mayleadtolossofthesegiftsoftheSpirit.Itistemptingtowantandshareexperiencesforthesakeofimpressingothers.TheLordknowsourhearts;therefore,Iwouldsuggest always praying for revelation as to whether it isappropriate to share experiences among people you know. It isalways a good practice to restrain yourwords and focus on thegloryofGodwhensharing.JesusdidthisoftenwhenhewasthemanofGalilee.107BecarefulnottooffendtheLord.Aswithallgifts,theynotonlyrequireapureheartandfaith,butalsocourage;formostofthesegiftsrequireustobevulnerableandpeculiarinfrontofotherpeople.

• “Whatwilltheythinkofme?”• “Whatifthingsdon’tgoasIhoped?”

1071Chronicles29:11,Matthew6:13,Matthew19:16-17,3Nephi13:13,Moses4:2

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• “WillIbeconsideredafraud?”TheGifttoHeal,aswithallgiftsofthespirit,isaselflessendeavor.It is driven by our love of God, recognizing our weakness, anddesiringtoserveHim.Thegoodnewsisthatthemoreexperienceyouhavewith theLord’sgifts, the lessyounoticeyourpersonalweakness.108TheLordwillmakewhatwasweakbecomestrongereachtimeyouserveHim.

7)MinisteringofAngelsThespiritualgiftthatopensthedoortotheadministeringofangelsisfarmoreengagedinourlivesthanmostrealize.Theproblemisthatweoftendonothaveourspiritualsensesopentoseewhatishappeningaroundus.I havewritten extensively about the angelic realm,109 but here Iwishtodiscusshowtheywill interactwithushereonearth.Thegift of the ministering of angels is the blessing of theircompanionshipandhelptobothcometotheLordandbecomeaservantofHim.Whatwouldpreventyoufromreceivingtheministeringofangelsor seeing an angel? One of the sons of Mosiah was asked aquestion:

“Therefore, as Aaron entered into one oftheirsynagoguestopreachuntothepeople,andashewasspeakinguntothem,beholdtherearoseanAmalekiteandbegantocontendwithhim,saying:What is that thou hast testified? Hast thou seen

108Ether12:27109“AWitnessoftheHeavenlyRealm,”97-125

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an angel? Why do not angels appear unto us?Beholdarenotthispeopleasgoodasthypeople?”(Alma21:5)

The scriptures have given us direct instruction for how we caninvitetheministeringofangels.Nephirecorded,“AndbydayhaveIwaxedboldinmightyprayerbeforehim;yea,myvoicehaveIsentuponhigh; andangels camedownandministereduntome.”110Throughprayerweopenthedoortotheirministry,whichmeanstheycometoteachus.

“And after God had appointed that these thingsshouldcomeuntoman,behold,thenhesawthatitwas expedient that man should know concerningthe things whereof he had appointed unto them;Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold of his glory.” (Alma12:28-29)

ConversingwithangelsisaprecursortobeholdingthegloryoftheLord.HealwayssendsHismessengerstopreparethewaybeforetheSecondComforter.

“AndhehathpowergivenuntohimfromtheFatherto redeem them from their sins because ofrepentance; therefore he hath sent his angels todeclarethetidingsoftheconditionsofrepentance,which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer,untothesalvationoftheirsouls.”(Helaman5:11)

Whatare the “conditionsof repentance?”No less thatwhatweneedtocomeclosertoGod.Theministeringofangelsisafunctionofthelesserpriesthood,whichpurposeistoprepareustoreceivetheGiftoftheHolyGhost.1102Nephi4:24

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“And the lesser priesthood continued, whichpriesthood holdeth the key of the ministering ofangelsandthepreparatorygospel;Whichgospelisthe gospel of repentance and of baptism, andthe remission of sins, and the law of carnalcommandments,whichtheLordinhiswrathcausedto continue with the house of Aaron among thechildrenof Israeluntil John,whomGodraisedup,beingfilledwiththeHolyGhostfromhismother’swomb.”(D&C84:26-27)

Thegreatblessingoftheministeringofangelsistoprepareustoenter the presence of the Lord. Can anyone receive angels toministeruntothem?

“And now, he imparteth his word by angels untomen,yea,notonlymenbutwomenalso.Nowthisisnot all; little children do have words given untothemmanytimes,whichconfoundthewiseandthelearned.”(Alma32:23)

Therearemanykindsofangels.Theymayappeartousasaglorifiedbeingoflight,111orasahumbleservantoftheLord;inwhichyouwouldnotseetheirglory.“Benotforgetfultoentertainstrangers:for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”112 Thesetranslatedbeingsalsoministertousasneeded.ThethreechosenwhenChristcametoAmericaaresuchanexample:“AndtheyareastheangelsofGod,andiftheyshallprayuntotheFatherinthenameofJesustheycanshowthemselvesuntowhatsoevermanitseemeththemgood.”113

111Hebrews1:13-14112Hebrew13:221133Nephi28:30

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Angelsalsogiveuswhatweneedtoovercomeweakness.114Jacob,the brother of Nephi shared his experience contending withSherem:

“And he had hope to shake me from the faith,notwithstandingthemanyrevelationsandthemanythingswhichIhadseenconcerningthesethings;forI truly had seen angels, and they had ministereduntome.Andalso,IhadheardthevoiceoftheLordspeakinguntomeinveryword,fromtimetotime;wherefore,Icouldnotbeshaken.”(Jacob7:5)

AngelswillbringrevelationstousfromtheLord.Oftenwhenexperiencingtheserevelations,wewillalsoheartheVoiceoftheSavior.Suchencountersstrengthenourfaithtremendously;welearntoseekrevelationandtoactuponit.JosephSmithsaid,“Ifyouliveuptoyourprivileges,theangelscannotberestrainedfrombeingyourassociates.”115 Ifyouareprivilegedtoaccompanyangelsandtoseethroughtheveil, expect to also see the darkness. When confronting theAdversary, the Lord will send angels. “And he was there in thewilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; andwaswith thewildbeasts;116andtheangelsministereduntohim.”117Inmypersonalexperiences, the Lord taught me more about angels whencombatingtheAdversarythananyotherway.Notallexperiencethis,butifyouhavethistrainingitisbeneficialtoservingothers.118InwhatwayswouldyouexpecttoreceiveanangeloftheLord?

114Luke22:43115HistoryoftheChurch,4:605116Awordtodenotedemonicbeings.117Mark1:13118HowtoHaveYourSecondComforter,Anonymous,pg.

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“Andwhentheyweredeparted,behold,theangeloftheLordappearethtoJosephinadream,saying,Arise,andtaketheyoungchildandhismother,andfleeintoEgypt,andbethouthereuntilIbringtheeword:forHerodwillseektheyoungchildtodestroyhim.”(Matthew2:13)“Butwhilehethoughtonthesethings,behold,theangel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream,saying,Joseph,thousonofDavid,fearnottotakeuntotheeMarythywife:forthatwhichisconceivedinherisoftheHolyGhost.”(Matthew1:20)

InbothofthesecaseswithJoseph,thehusbandtoMary,hewasgiven important instructions in a dream. Often, those whosespiritualsensitivitieshavenotyetmatured,theLordblessesuswiththisgiftthroughourdreams.119Suchdreamsmaycomeeitherassymbolicmessages,or actualmeetings to communicatewithus.Thiscanstilloccurafteryourspiritualeyesareopen,forsometimesthedistractionsoflifepreventusfromhearingwhattheywishtosaytous.Theotherwaywemayreceiveanangelisthroughavision.120“HesawinavisionevidentlyabouttheninthhourofthedayanangelofGod coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.” (Acts10:33)When your eyes and ears are fully open this is themostcommonway of communication. In a trance-like state, you caneither see something in a completely different environment orlocation,oractuallyseethingshappeningaroundyouwhereyouare.ItisusuallyeasytotellwhetheritistheAdversaryoranangel

119TheAdversarycanalsocommunicatetousinourdreams.SeekingrevelationfromtheLordaftersuchanexperiencewillstrengthenusandprepareusforgreaterexperiences.120Hebrews1:9,Peterwassavedbyanangelandthoughtitwasavision;butwasinfactarealprisonrescue.

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by thedegreeof lightandgloryyousee.YourspiritualeyesandearsareusuallyveryawareofwhattheSpiritistellingyouinthesesituations,soitbecomesquiteanevent.121Thesethingsdon’thappenall thetime.Fewpeoplewalkaroundwith a continually open veil. That would be an uncomfortabledistraction to one’s daily life. In the book, “How to Open YourSpiritualEyes,”Italkmoreaboutsuchthings.122Sometimestheangelsmayalsowakeyoutoseetheminareal-timevision.“AndthethingswhichIshalltellyouaremadeknownuntome by an angel from God. And he said untome: Awake; and Iawoke,andbeholdhestoodbeforeme.”123WhentheLordcametothepeopleofNephitheheavensopenedand the people’s spiritual eyes saw in vision the reality of theHeavenlyRealm:

“Andnow,whentheyheardthistheycastuptheireyesas if tobehold fromwhencethevoicecame;andbehold,theysawtheheavensopen;andangelscame down out of heaven and ministered untothem.”(Helaman5:48)“Andastheylookedtobeholdtheycasttheireyestowardsheaven, and they saw theheavensopen,andtheysawangelsdescendingoutofheavenasitwere in the midst of fire; and they came downandencircledthoselittleonesabout,andtheywereencircled about with fire; and the angels didministeruntothem.”(3Nephi17:24)

121FewthingscomparetoseeingafulldisplayoftheAdversarybeingcompletelysubduedbyangelsoflight.122HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.123Mosiah3:2

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Oftenpeopleare confusedas tohowanangelwouldappear.124Theyexpecttoseeamanasyouwouldseeamortal,yetglowinginlight,butthisisnothowthesebeingsappeartous.

“FornomanhasseenGodatanytimeintheflesh,except quickened by the Spirit of God. [spiritualeyes opened] Neither can any naturalman abidethepresenceofGod,[physicalbody]neitherafterthecarnalmind.[unsanctifiedmind]Yearenotableto abide the presence of God now, neither theministering of angels; wherefore, continue inpatienceuntilyeareperfected.”(D&C67:11-13)

Thisperfectioncomesfromthebaptismoffire.Atthispoint,oneispreparedtoreceiveafullnessfromtheLord.AtameetingoftheSchooloftheProphets,March18,1833,theprophetJosephSmithpromisedthebrothersaspecialblessing:

“…exhorted the brethren to faithfulness anddiligence in keeping the commandments of God,and gave much instruction for the benefit of theSaints,withapromisethatthepureinheartshouldseeaheavenlyvision;andafter remainingashort

124“ThemanifestationsofthegiftoftheHolyGhost,theministeringofangels,orthedevelopmentofthepower,majestyorgloryofGodwereveryseldommanifestedpublicly,andthatgenerallytothepeopleofGod,astotheIsraelites;butmostgenerallywhenangelshavecome,orGodhasrevealedHimself,ithasbeentoindividualsinprivate,intheirchamber;inthewildernessorfields,andthatgenerallywithoutnoiseortumult.TheangeldeliveredPeteroutofprisoninthedeadofnight;cametoPaulunobservedbytherestofthecrew;appearedtoMaryandElizabethwithouttheknowledgeofothers;spoketoJohntheBaptistwhilstthepeoplearoundwereignorantofit.”HistoryoftheChurch,5:26–31;bracketedwordsinsecondparagraphinoriginal;punctuationandgrammarmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;from“GiftoftheHolyGhost,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,June15,1842,pp.823–25;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.

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timeinsecretprayer,thepromisewasverified;formanypresenthadtheeyesoftheirunderstandingopenedbytheSpiritofGod,soastobeholdmanythings. … Many of the brethren saw a heavenlyvisionoftheSavior,andconcoursesofangels,andmanyotherthings.”125

SuchwasalsothecasewiththepeopleofBountiful.

“Andbehold,theywereencircledaboutasifitwereby fire; and it came down from heaven, and themultitudedidwitness it, anddidbear record;andangels did come down out of heaven and didministeruntothem.Anditcametopassthatwhilethe angels were ministering unto the disciples,behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst andministereduntothem.”(3Nephi19:14-15)

The circling of fire is also the pillar of fire often spoken of inscripture,whichrestsuponustosanctifyusinthepresenceofGod.AllangelsoftheLordfromthepresenceofGodappearintheirglorywithinthepillaroffire.RememberthestoryoftheangelsappearingtotheShepherdsatthebirthofChrist?

“And there were in the same country shepherdsabidinginthefield,keepingwatchovertheirflockbynight.And,lo,theangeloftheLordcameuponthem,andthegloryoftheLordshoneroundaboutthem:andtheyweresoreafraid.Andtheangelsaid

125HistoryoftheChurch,1:334–35;fromtheminutesofameetingoftheSchooloftheProphetsheldonMar.18,1833,inKirtland,Ohio;reportedbyFrederickG.Williams.

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untothem,Fearnot:for,behold, Ibringyougoodtidingsofgreatjoy,whichshallbetoallpeople.Forunto you is born this day in the city of Davida Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shallbeasignuntoyou;Yeshallfindthebabewrappedin swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Andsuddenly therewaswith the angel amultitudeoftheheavenlyhostpraisingGod,andsaying,GlorytoGod in thehighest, andonearthpeace, goodwilltowardmen.”(Luke2:8-14)

JosephSmithdescribedtheFirstVisionasa“pillaroflight.”126HelaterdescribedsomeinterestingdetailsinhisvisitfromMoroni:

“After this communication, I saw the light in theroom begin to gather immediately around thepersonofhimwhohadbeenspeakingtome,anditcontinued to do so until the roomwas again leftdark,exceptjustaroundhim;when,instantlyIsaw,asitwere,aconduitopenrightupintoheaven,andhe ascended till he entirely disappeared, and theroomwas leftas ithadbeenbefore thisheavenlylighthadmadeitsappearance.”“I laymusing on the singularity of the scene, andmarvelinggreatlyatwhathadbeentold tomebythisextraordinarymessenger;when,inthemidstof

126JSH1:16,also,“Josephbecameconsciousofaheavenlylightdescendinguponhim,growingmorebrilliantasitenvelopedhimandtheleavesandboughsofthetrees,untiltheyseemedtobeconsumedwithfireandthelightwasbrighterthanthesun.ItrescuedJosephfromhisunseenenemy.Darknessvanished.”SeeOrsonPratt,AInterestingAccountofSeveralRemarkableVisions,5;seealsoJosephSmith,“History,circaSummer1832,”2;AlexanderNeibaurjournal,May24,1844.

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mymeditation,Isuddenlydiscoveredthatmyroomwasagainbeginningtogetlighted,andinaninstant,asitwere,thesameheavenlymessengerwasagainbymybedside.”(JosephSmithHistory1:43-44)

Itisimportanttonotethatthebaptismoffireisaportalofglorywhichnotonlycleansesus,but is themeansbywhichbeingsoflighttravel.The“fire”isnotorange/redaswewouldconsiderfire,butwhite,plasmalikeenergy;purelight,likethelightofthesun.Its glory makes all things clean and capable of standing in thepresenceofGod.Suchapillaroflightalwaysaccompaniesanangelofglory.Anangelmayalso come tous to give commandments from theLord,ortotestus;notalwaysexplainingfullythereasonwhy.“AndaftermanydaysanangeloftheLordappeareduntoAdam,saying:WhydostthouoffersacrificesuntotheLord?AndAdamsaiduntohim:Iknownot,savetheLordcommandedme.”127AtsuchtimesitisgoodtoseekaconfirmationfromtheLordtoknowifitisindeedfromHim.Joseph Smith shared the following advice in section 129 of theDoctrineandCovenants:

1 There are two kinds of beings in heaven,namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages,havingbodiesoffleshandbones—2Forinstance,Jesussaid:Handlemeandsee,foraspirithathnotfleshandbones,asyeseemehave.3 Secondly: the spirits of just menmade perfect,theywhoarenotresurrected,butinheritthesameglory.

127Moses5:66

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4WhenamessengercomessayinghehasamessagefromGod,offerhimyourhandandrequesthimtoshakehandswithyou.5Ifhebeanangelhewilldoso,andyouwillfeelhishand.6Ifhebethespiritofajustmanmadeperfecthewillcomeinhisglory;forthatistheonlywayhecanappear—7Askhimtoshakehandswithyou,buthewillnotmove,becauseitiscontrarytotheorderofheavenforajustmantodeceive;buthewillstilldeliverhismessage.8Ifitbethedevilasanangeloflight,whenyouaskhimtoshakehandshewillofferyouhishand,andyouwillnotfeelanything;youmaythereforedetecthim.9 These are three grand keys whereby you mayknowwhetheranyadministrationisfromGod.(D&C129:1-9)

IaskedtheLordfacetofaceregardingthissectionofD&C:

What about what Joseph Smith said regardingshakingahandofspirittoknowwhetheritisatruespiritandnotbedeceived?Hesaidthatbadspiritsalways will try and touch you, but you will feelnothing.Justextendingyourhand,ifyouseethem,will evoke a response of them trying to engage.Righteousspiritswillmakenoefforttotouchyou,because they know you cannot feel them.Resurrected spirits will interact with you in theHeavenly Realm and you will certainly feel theirtouch,andiftheyarecondescendinginthefleshinthemortal realmyouwill feel that too. It’sprettyeasytotellwhichareevilandwhicharenot.Forone

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whohasascendedtotheThroneitiseasytotellthedifference,128the lightofaglorifiedbeing issofarbeyondtheadversaryitpalesincomparison.129

Receivingthegiftoftheministeringofangelsisapowerfulblessing,whichoftencomesinstagesaswefirsthearandthenseethem.ItisnotthekindofthingthatistakenlightlybytheLord,130asarealltheothergiftsoftheSpirit.

“Yeareswift todo iniquitybutslowtoremembertheLordyourGod.Yehaveseenanangel,andhespakeuntoyou;yea,yehaveheardhisvoicefromtimetotime;andhehathspokenuntoyouinastillsmallvoice,butyewerepastfeeling,thatyecouldnotfeelhiswords;wherefore,hehasspokenuntoyoulikeuntothevoiceofthunder,whichdidcausetheearthtoshakeasifitweretodivideasunder.”(1Nephi17:45)

O,howmercifultheLordisuntous!ThebrothersofNephisawanangeloftheLord,buttheywerepastfeeling;theydidn’tfeelthewordsspoken.Thesesameangelsspoketotheirmindsbythe“stillsmallvoice,”andagaintheydidn’tlisten.Intheend,thevoicewasas thunder to them,but theycontinuedtobeblinded.Wemustbelieveandseekbyfaiththeministeringofangels,tonotdismisstheir interactionswithus,tobe“pastfeeling”thatwemaypushforward, to be prepared to come to the Lord and become Hisservants.

128I’mremindedofMoses’sexperiencewithSatanafterhisascension.Moses1:15129WitnessoftheEndofTimes,pg.931301Nephi7:10

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8)GiftofCharityThemostimportantspiritualgiftwhichwecanreceiveinthislifeisthegiftofCharity.131Itistheliteralcrownofrighteousness132thatisgiventoonewhoseheartisbroken,andspiritiscontrite.133Manyof the spiritual gifts which you experience have the purpose ofbringingyoutoapointwhereyoucanbeatrueservantoftheLord.This gift brings a change upon youwhich can never be undone,unlessyousinagainsttheHolyGhost.134The word “charity” is the transliteration of the Greek word“agape,”whichiswrittenintheNewTestament.Itliterallymeans“divinelove.”Thisisnottobeconfusedwithregularlove;thekindwhichisemotional,sentimental,orromantic.Tohavedivineloveis to see someone thewayGod sees them; to be connected toGod’swillandunderstandingforothers.TheapostlePaulmade thepoint thatalthoughwemayexercisevariousgiftsoftheSpirit,withoutcharitywehavenothing.

“Though I speak with the tongues ofmen and ofangels, and have not charity, I ambecomeassoundingbrass,oratinklingcymbal.AndthoughIhavethegiftofprophecy,andunderstandallmysteries,andallknowledge;andthoughIhaveallfaith,sothatIcouldremovemountains,andhavenotcharity,Iamnothing.”(1Corinthians13:1-2)

Howisitthatcharitywouldnegatesuchimportantgiftsasfaithandprophesy?TheLordgivesusHisSpiritandgifts tohelpusmove

1311Corinthians13:13,Moroni7:461322Timothy4:8,D&C25:15,D&C29:131331Timothy1:5134Matthew12:31,Alma39:5-6

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towardHim,butoften,becauseofpride,peopledon’tgobeyondexercisingthemostimportantgiftsoftheSpirituntoperfection.135

“Noteveryonethatsaithuntome,Lord,Lord,shallenter into the kingdom of heaven; but hethatdoeththewillofmyFatherwhichisinheaven.Manywillsaytomeinthatday,Lord,Lord,havewenotprophesiedinthyname?andinthynamehavecast out devils? and in thy name done manywonderfulworks?AndthenwillIprofessuntothem,I never knew you: depart from me, ye thatwork iniquity.Thereforewhosoeverheareth thesesayings ofmine, and doeth them, I will liken himuntoawiseman,whichbuilthishouseuponarock:Andtheraindescended,andthefloodscame,andthewindsblew,andbeatuponthathouse;anditfellnot: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Matthew7:21-25)Thesepeople,althoughexercisingspiritualgifts,arenotknowntotheLord.Howcanthatbe?136 InHiswords,theirfoundationwasnotbuiltuponHim,therock.Thisrockisourbaptismoffire,thegiftoftheHolyGhost;whichmakesusHis.137“Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is mydoctrine,andIbearrecordofitfromtheFather;andwhosobelievethinmebelievethintheFatheralso;anduntohimwilltheFatherbearrecordofme,forhewillvisithimwithfireandwiththeHolyGhost.And thus will the Father bear record of me, and

1352Nephi28:26-271362Nephi28:28-31137John10:14-15,1Corinthians3:10-23,1Timothy6:19,2Timothy2:19,HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.

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the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of theFatherandme;fortheFather,andI,andtheHolyGhostareone.Andagain I sayuntoyou, yemustrepent,andbecomeasalittlechild,andbebaptizedin my name, or ye can in nowise receive thesethings.AndagainIsayuntoyou,yemustrepent,andbebaptizedinmyname,andbecomeasalittlechild,or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,thatthisismydoctrine,and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon myrock,andthegatesofhellshallnotprevailagainstthem. Andwhoso shall declaremore or less thanthis, and establish it for my doctrine, the samecomethofevil,andisnotbuiltuponmyrock;buthebuildethuponasandyfoundation,andthegatesofhell stand open to receive such when the floodscome and the winds beat upon them.” (3 Nephi11:35-40)

Theword“charity,”initscolloquialusage,issomeonewhoiskind,caring,andoftenwillingtogiveofthemselvestohelpsomeoneinneed. Truly, these are Christ-like attributes, but is this how“charity”ismeanttobeusedwhenspeakingofthespiritualgift?

“And though I bestow all my goods tofeed the poor, and though I give my body to beburned, and have not charity, it profiteth menothing. [No service or kindness will exalt youunless you have the Gift of the Holy Ghost.]Charity suffereth long, and is kind;charityenviethnot;charityvauntethnotitself,isnotpuffedup,Dothnotbehaveitselfunseemly,seekethnot her own, [Seeketh the Father’s will] is noteasily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth notin iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all

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things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,endureth all things. [These are attributes of aperson who has become one with the Father.;receivedtheHolyGhost.]Charityneverfaileth:butwhether there be prophecies, they shall fail;whether there be tongues, they shall cease;whethertherebeknowledge, itshallvanishaway.[Charityisagiftwhichcannotbeundoneexceptbydenying the HG.] For we know in part, and weprophesyinpart.Butwhenthatwhichisperfectiscome,[Theglorywhichcleansesandexalts.]thenthat which is in part shall be done away. [Thetelestial state of our soul.]When I was a child, Ispakeasachild,Iunderstoodasachild,Ithoughtasa child: but when I became a man, I put awaychildish things. [Your understanding is changed.]For nowwe see through a glass, darkly; but thenface to face: now I know in part; but then shall IknowevenasalsoIamknown.[Ourspiritualsenseswillbeblurredatfirst,andthenmadeclear.]Andnow abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; butthegreatestoftheseischarity.”(1Corinthians13:1-13)

FaithistheHolySpiritreceivedbyrevelationasweseektheLord---repentance.138Hope is thepromiseofa remissionof sinsaswecovenantwith the Father---baptism.139Charity is the baptismoffire and the Gift of the Holy Ghost as we are made clean andexalted---bornagaininJesusChrist---perfectionofspirit.140

138Alma34:15-17,Alma9:27,Alma26:22,Helaman5:41-43,Helaman15:7,3Nephi27:19,Moroni8:25,D&C20:6,D&C29:42139Ephesians4:4-7,2Nephi31:17,Alma7:15,Alma32:21,Ether12:8-9,32,Moroni7:3,Mark1:4,D&C33:11,D&C39:6,D&C107:20,Moses6:59-60140Moroni8:25-26

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“Andseethatyehavefaith,hope,andcharity,andthenyewillalwaysaboundingoodworks.Andmaythe Lord bless you, and keep your garmentsspotless,thatyemayatlastbebroughttositdownwith Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holyprophets who have been ever since the worldbegan,havingyourgarmentsspotlessevenastheirgarmentsarespotless,inthekingdomofheaventogonomoreout.”(Alma7:24-25)

Abraham,Isaac,andJacobalsohadfaith,hopeandcharity.ThisishowtheybecamespotlessandbecameworthyoftheKingdomofHeaven.ByreceivingthegiftofCharitytheywereworthytoreceivethebaptismoffireandtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.InboththeNewTestamentandtheBookofMormon,JesusChristinstructedhisdisciplesto“beyethereforeperfect…”141WhatkindofperfectionwasHereferringto?IsitnotthekindofperfectionwhichcomesfromdivineloveaswedothewilloftheFather?

“Andaboveallthesethingsputoncharity,whichisthebondofperfectness.AndletthepeaceofGodruleinyourhearts,tothewhichalsoyearecalledinonebody;andbeyethankful.”(Colossians3:14-15)

CharityiswhatbondsustoourLord.ItiswhatHereferredtoas“beyethereforeperfect.”TheLordshowedusthestraightnessofthepathandhowwecouldreturntotheFather.Withoutthisgift,wewouldhavenothing.

“Knowyenotthathewasholy?Butnotwithstandinghebeingholy,heshowethuntothechildrenofmenthat, according to the flesh he humbleth himselfbeforetheFather,andwitnessethuntotheFather

141Matthew5:48,Nephi12:48

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thathewouldbeobedientuntohiminkeepinghiscommandments.Wherefore,afterhewasbaptizedwithwatertheHolyGhostdescendeduponhimintheformofadove.Andagain,itshowethuntothechildrenofmenthestraitnessofthepath,andthenarrownessofthegate,bywhichtheyshouldenter,hehavingsettheexamplebeforethem.Andhesaidunto the children of men: Follow thou me.Wherefore, my beloved brethren, canwefollowJesussaveweshallbewillingtokeepthecommandmentsoftheFather?AndtheFathersaid:Repentye,repentye,andbebaptizedinthenameofmyBelovedSon.Andalso,thevoiceoftheSoncame unto me, saying: He that is baptized in myname,tohimwilltheFathergivetheHolyGhost,likeuntome;wherefore,followme,anddothethingswhichyehaveseenmedo.”(2Nephi31:7-12)

Andagain,Nephispeaksofthiscommandment:

“Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing;wherefore, the Lord God hath given acommandment that all men should have charity,whichcharityislove.Andexcepttheyshouldhavecharitytheywerenothing.Wherefore,iftheyshouldhave charity they would not suffer the laborer inZiontoperish.”(2Nephi26:30)

Is itassimpleasonly“love?”Whatdoes itmeantonotsufferalaborerofZiontoperish?”Inthepreviousverses,Nephipreachesagainst priestcraft, and admonishes the Lord’s servants to havecharity;forsuchaservantknowingthewillofGodcannotbeartoseeany soulperish in theLord’skingdom.Theycarry thegiftofcharityortheunderstandingoftheLord’sdivinelove.

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Notonlyischaritythegreatestofspiritualgifts,butalsoananchortothesoul,142whichstrengthensusagainstthepowersofdarkness.Peter said, “And above all things have fervent charity amongyourselves:forcharityshallcoverthemultitudeofsins.143JosephSmith made the following correction: “for charity preventethamultitudeofsins144ThegiftofcharityprovidesacertainclaritythathelpsustorecognizetheAdversary;tohaveapureheartandfocusonthetruth.Thisnewlightcanpreventusfromthedesiretosin;butdoesn’tmeanwewon’tsin.However,wewillknowthattheLordisourRedeemerandwillcontinuetorepentandseekHislight.Thegiftofcharityisnotsomethingyouarebornwith;itmustbereceivedfromtheLord.Wearebornwithweakness;meaning,wedonotknowtheLordyet.

“Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles theirweakness, [adisconnect fromtheLord] and Iwillshow unto them that faith, hope and charitybringeth unto me—the fountain ofallrighteousness.”(Ether12:28)

Thisone-two-threeprocess(faith,hope,andcharity)isthesourceof all blessings the Lord wishes to bestow upon us; like a clearfountain pushing living water upwards. All righteousness comesthrough the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. These gifts areconditionaluponourdesirestoreceivethem.Ineedtostopheretoexplainsomething.Charityisliketheturn-key that gives us the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is a virtue ofgodliness, andagiftof theSpirit;but isnot theGiftof theHolyGhostitself.WhenwereceivethegiftofCharityweareprepared

142Ether12:41431Peter4:8144JST1Peter4:8

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toreceivetheGiftoftheHolyGhost.ItislikeasigntotheLordthatourmomenthascome.IfthesegiftswereexactlythesamethingMoroniwouldhavejustnameditso.InMoroni7itreads:

1AndnowI,Moroni,writeafewofthewordsofmyfatherMormon,which he spake concerning faith,hope,andcharity;forafterthismannerdidhespeakunto the people, as he taught them inthesynagoguewhichtheyhadbuiltfortheplaceofworship.2AndnowI,Mormon,speakuntoyou,mybelovedbrethren;andit isbythegraceofGodtheFather,andourLordJesusChrist,andhisholywill,becauseofthegiftofhiscallinguntome,[GiftoftheSpirit,topreachandtoprophecy]thatIampermittedtospeakuntoyouatthistime.3Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are ofthe church, [been baptized] that arethe peaceable followers of Christ, and that haveobtained a sufficient hope bywhich ye can enterintotherestoftheLord,fromthistimehenceforthuntilyeshallrestwithhiminheaven.32Andbysodoing,theLordGodprepareththewaythattheresidueofmenmayhavefaithinChrist,thatthe Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts,according to the power thereof; and after thismannerbringethtopasstheFather,thecovenantswhichhehathmadeuntothechildrenofmen.33AndChristhathsaid:Ifyewillhavefaithinmeyeshall have power to do whatsoever thingisexpedientinme.[FirstbyFaith,whichisthegiftofrevelation]

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34Andhehathsaid:Repentallyeendsoftheearth,and comeuntome, andbebaptized inmyname,andhavefaithinme,thatyemaybesaved.42Wherefore, if amanhave faithhemustneedshave hope; forwithout faith there cannot be anyhope. [SecondbyHope,which is thecovenantofbaptism, awitness to the Father thatwe acceptJesusChrist.]43Andagain,beholdIsayuntoyouthathecannothave faith and hope, save he shall be meek, andlowly of heart. [You must qualify for the HolyGhost,abrokenheartandcontritespirit.]44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for noneisacceptablebeforeGod,savethemeekandlowlyinheart;andifamanbemeekandlowlyinheart,andconfessesbythepoweroftheHolyGhostthatJesus istheChrist,[MustcryouttoGod]hemustneedshavecharity;forifhehavenotcharityheisnothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.[Hereby, he must be given the gift of the HolyGhost.]

Mormonpreachesthattoreceivethegiftwemustdesireandaskthe Lordwith real intent.And thenMoroni, as hewrapsup themonumentaltaskhisfatherhadsetinmotion,declares:

43Andagain,beholdIsayuntoyouthathecannothave faith and hope, save he shall be meek, andlowlyof heart. [requirements to receive theHolyGhost]44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for noneisacceptablebeforeGod,savethemeekandlowlyinheart;andifamanbemeekandlowlyinheart,andconfessesbythepoweroftheHolyGhostthat

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JesusistheChrist,hemustneedshavecharity;145[aformulaforqualifyingforcharity,ortheGiftoftheHolyGhost.]forifhehavenotcharityheisnothing;wherefore he must needs have charity. [WithouttheGiftoftheHolyGhostyouhavenoplaceintheLord’sKingdom.]45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind,andenviethnot,andisnotpuffedup,seekethnotherown,isnoteasilyprovoked,thinkethnoevil,andrejoicethnot in iniquitybut rejoiceth in the truth,beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth allthings, endureth all things. [These are attributesandevidencesofonewhohasthegiftofcharity.]46Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,ifyehavenotcharity,yearenothing,forcharityneverfaileth.[Itcan never be reversed. You are now a son ordaughter of God; born again in Jesus Christ.]Wherefore,cleaveuntocharity,[Grabholdofthisgift.]whichisthegreatestofall,forallthingsmustfail—47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, [DivineconnectiontothepureloveofHeaven;thewilloftheFather.]anditendurethforever;andwhosoisfoundpossessedofitatthelastday,itshallbewellwithhim.48Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,prayuntotheFatherwithalltheenergyofheart,thatyemaybefilledwiththislove,whichhehathbestoweduponallwhoare true followersofhisSon, JesusChrist;[Cry outwith all your energy of heart and soul!]thatyemaybecomethesonsofGod;thatwhenheshallappearweshallbelikehim,[StandtogetherintheeternalburningsoftheHeavenlyThrone.]for

145ThisisthegiftofProphesy,oneofthegiftsoftheSpiritthatoftenaccompaniesthereceiptofthegiftoftheHolyGhost.Pg.69

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we shall see him as he is; thatwemay have thishope;thatwemaybepurifiedevenashe ispure.Amen.”(Moroni7:44-48)

Again, Moroni emphasizes in his final words the importance offaith,hope,andcharity; the three-stepprocess towardreceivingthegiftoftheHolyGhost.

“Wherefore,theremustbefaith;andiftheremustbefaiththeremustalsobehope;andiftheremustbehopetheremustalsobecharity.Andexceptyehave charity ye can in nowise be saved in thekingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in thekingdomofGodifyehavenotfaith;neithercanyeifyehavenohope.”(Moroni10:20-21)

ToreceivetheGiftofCharityistobeaservantoftheMostHigh.OftentheLordmentionsfaith,hope,andcharity,whenspeakingoftheHolyGhost.ItisbythispatternthatweliterallytakeuponusthenameofChrist.

“Behold, you havemy gospel before you, andmyrock,andmysalvation.AsktheFatherinmynameinfaith,believingthatyoushallreceive,andyoushallhave theHolyGhost,whichmanifesteth all thingswhichareexpedientuntothechildrenofmen.Andifyouhavenotfaith,hope,andcharity,youcandonothing. Contend against no church, save it bethechurchofthedevil.TakeuponyouthenameofChrist, and speak the truth in soberness.” (D&C18:17-21)

Taking His name upon us is like wearing a mantle of divinerelationship.“Andaboveallthings,clotheyourselveswiththebond

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of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectnessandpeace.”146TherelationshipbetweenthegiftofCharityandthegiftoftheHolyGhost can be confusing. Through my experiences the Lord hashelpedmetounderstandthisprocessand its significance toourprogression.Iexplainit indetail inthebook“HowToOpenYourSpiritual Eyes,” but here are a few simple explanations to somequestionsregardingthegiftofCharity.Question:IscharityasignofreceivingthegiftoftheHolyGhost?Answer:Charityisthebestowalofthepurelight(love)ofChrist,avirtueofgodlinessthat isasignofourworthinesstoreceivetheGiftoftheHolyGhost.147Question:HowisCharitydifferentthantheGiftoftheHolyGhost?Answer: Charity is a gift of the Spirit that prepares us to bespiritually reborn in JesusChrist. TheGift of theHolyGhost is achangeofourspiritbodytomorelightandglorythanithadbefore.Question:Howdoes thegiftofCharitydiffer fromthedefinitionthatcharityistoloveGodaboveanythingelse?Answer: The commandment to love God above all things is theprerequisitetohavingtheGiftoftheHolyGhost.TohaveabrokenheartandcontritespiritisafullsubmissiontotheLordandwillleadtothegiftofCharityandalltheblessingsofEternalLife.

146D&C88:125147Iwillbeexplainingthisrelationshipindetailinthecompanionbook,“HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes.”

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Question:I’mnotsureifcharityissomethingweneedtoperformonourownorifitisthelovewehaveforothersafterfirstreceivingtheloveofGod?Answer:Thegiftofcharityisastateofbeing.Thefruitsofcharityarethingssuchaskindness,patience,longsuffering,etc.Thelovewehaveforothers isanaturaloccurrenceasweexercisevirtue,buttoloveothersasGodlovesthemcanonlycomeinitsfullnessafterreceivingthegiftofCharitybecausewepossessadivinelovethatexpressesGod’s loveforHischildren.WeseethemthewaytheLordseesthem.Charity isthecrowninggift inthis life,whichwill leadyoutotheGiftoftheHolyGhostandafullknowledgeoftheLord.

“Letthybowels[motivationsandyearnings]alsobefullofcharity[God’sloveandpurpose]towardsallmen, [the world] and to the household of faith,[believers] and let virtue [holy desires andimaginations] garnish thy thoughts unceasingly;[100%of the time] then shall thy confidencewaxstrong in the presence of God; [You will have arelationshipwiththeLord]andthedoctrineofthepriesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dewsfromheaven.[GiftsoftheSpiritwillexpand.]TheHoly Ghost shall be thy constant companion,[BaptismofFire,TheGiftoftheHolyGhost]andthyscepteranunchangingscepterofrighteousnessandtruth; [knowledge of God, priesthood] and thydominion shall be an everlasting dominion,[exaltation] and without compulsory means[Sealingpowergiven]itshallflowuntotheeforeverandever.[crownedaKing]”(D&C121:45-46)

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9)GiftofTonguesMyfirstexperiencewiththegiftoftonguescameseveralmonthsafterreceivingmybaptismoffireandgiftoftheHolyGhost.ThisparticulargiftoftheSpiritIdidnotunderstand,andIhadferventlyprayedtotheLordthatHewouldhelpme.Whatwasitfor?Howwoulditbeused?Wasitonlyforteachingthegospelinanunknowntongue?Ihadbeenachurchmissionaryinaforeigncountryandeventuallylearned to speak the language; but although I had been told byleaders thiswas the “gift of tongues,” I didn’t see it as the truemanifestation. Many have learned to speak foreign languagesbetter than I in much shorter a time for secular purposes. Theapostles, after receiving the Holy Ghost, went into the city andspoke in tongues they had never spoken before.148 I needed tolearnmore.InsteadofgoingoutandbuyingbooksonthetopicasIhaveinthepast,IhavelearnedtotrustintheLordforsuchthings.I literallyknewnothingaboutthegiftofTonguesotherthanitexisted.TheLordtoldmethatIwouldsoonexperiencethisspiritualgift.Withinseveralweeks, as I knelt, pouringoutmyheart to the Lord, theSpirittoldmetorelaxandbegintoloosenmytongue.Atfirstitwasawkward and I felt embarrassed; but I continued, and within aminute the words began to flow. What was surprising was thedegreetowhichtheSpiritbegantopouroverme.Thisencouragedmetoprayintonguesmorefervently,andfromthattimeforwardIhavepracticedthisgiftduringeveryformalpersonalprayer.FourmonthslaterafterthestartofthegiftofTonguesIexperiencedtheSecondComforter.

148Acts2:1-8

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Ihavewitnessedothersspeakintongues;bothmenandwomen.Usually,someoneisinspiredtotranslatewhatissaid.IfindthattheSpirit isalwaysabundantlystrongwhensuchathingoccurs.Thegiftcanbemanifestedwhensomeoneisbeingblessedoraprayerisgiven.Onafewoccasions,IhaveheardsomethinglikethegiftofTongues where no Spirit was present; and no translation wasoffered.Itfelthollowtome.TheSpiritissostrongwhenthegiftisusedthatitisnotuncommonforthemtospeakemotionallywithtears.ItishardtoexplainthepurityandintensitythataccompaniesthegiftofTonguesanditsaffectuponagroupofpeople.IhaveaskedtheLordattimes,“WhywasItoldtoprayorgivethisportionof theblessing in tongues?”Theanswerwas that itwasprivatebetweenHimandtherecipient.Eithertheperson’sspiritwouldreceiveit,orhewouldprayandreceiveatranslation.Thereare also times when someone present would receive thetranslationanddeclareittothepersonforme,asawitnessoftheLord’spower.TherearethreedistinctwaystousethegiftofTongues.Eachhasadifferentpurpose,which ineverywayedifiesandbrings light tothosewhoparticipate.PrayinginTonguesThisisapersonalprayer,spokeninthelanguageoftheSpirit.149Itisnot importantthatanyoneunderstandswhat isspokenexcept1491Corinthians14:1-5“Followaftercharity,anddesirespiritualgifts,butratherthatyemayprophesy.[Seekthespiritualgifts,especiallycharity,andthenyouwillprophesy.]Forhethatspeakethinanunknowntonguespeakethnotuntomen,butuntoGod:fornomanunderstandethhim;howbeitinthespirithespeakethmysteries.[AtypeoftonguewherewespeakonlytoGodintheSpirit]

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theLord.150Thelanguagewilloftenchange,andtoyoursurprisebecomeverycoherentandbeautifulasyoufocusyourwholeheartuponHim.Therearetimeswhenwordschangetosinging,orevenhumming or beautiful notes of sound.151 There are no timerestrictions,whetheryoupraythiswayafewminutesorforhours.Thelongeroneprays,themoretheSpiritcanflowoveryou;youfeel focused.At thesebeautifulmoments, visionsbegin toopenand the glory of heaven can rest upon you.152 Yes, the gift oftongues isoneof themostwonderful gifts the Lord canbestowuponyou;butitrequireschild-likefaith.Onlyonewhoiswillingtosetasidetheprideoftheworldshouldattemptsuchathing.SpeakinginTonguesThisiswhereaservantoftheLordliterallyspeaksinanunknowntonguetoanother.153Itisclearlyunderstoodbytherecipientinitsperfectdialect,andspokeneffortlesslybythespeaker.154Ittakesnopreparation,otherthantobefullyengulfedintheSpirit,andonthe Lord’s errand;which implies a level of priesthood.155 I haveexperiencedthisafewtimesandwasamazedathoweffortlesslyitoccurred,156bothintheMiddleEastandinCentralAmerica.While

1501Corinthians14:141511Corinthians14:15152SinceexperiencingthegiftofTonguesIhavebeenremindedofthewayNativeAmericanswilloftensingintonguesastheyseekavisionquest.IseemuchintheirholypracticesthatremindmeofwhattheLordhasgiventome.153TheProphetspokeatan1834conferenceofelders:“JosephSmiththengaveanexplanationofthegiftoftongues,thatitwasparticularlyinstitutedforthepreachingoftheGospeltoothernationsandlanguages,butitwasnotgivenforthegovernmentoftheChurch.”HistoryoftheChurch,2:162;fromtheminutesofaconferenceofeldersheldonSept.8,1834,inNewPortage,Ohio;reportedbyOliverCowdery.1543Nephi26:14,Acts2:5-12155AsIusetheword“priesthood,”IamreferringtoarelationshipwiththeLord.Often,suchaservantwillbeinstructedbytheLordbeforesuchanassignment.”156AWitnessoftheEndofTimes,Anonymous,pg.40-46

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speakingIknewexactlywhatIwassayinginEnglishandthewordscame out fluently.157 The gift also comes with a level ofdiscernment,whichallowsthespeakertounderstandthethoughtsofthereceiver,astonotconfusethemeaningorintention.Thisisthe“tongueofangels”158thattheprophetsreferto.ProphesyinginTongues159Anotherbeautifulversionofthisgiftiswheretheservantblesses160orpraysforanotherandmayhavetheSpiritmoveuponthemtobeginspeakinginanunknowntongue.AsIstatedearlier,thisisanopportunityfortheLordtosharesomethingsacredforonlycertainears,“Hewhohasears,letthemhear.”161Thisisawisemethodtopreventsomeonefromhearingwhattheyarenotmeanttohear,becauseitistoosacred,oronlyforcertainpeople.TheLorddoesn’talwaysletusknowhowHeisblessingus.Inthepast,whenIhaveexperiencedthis,Ihavefeltcompelledtotelltherecipienttoprayforaninterpretation.ThefewtimesIhaveexperiencedthis,itwasnever in the presence of anyone who was lacking faith. As theapostlePaulstatedconcerningtonguesbeforeanunbeliever,“willtheynotsaythatyearemad?”162TheSpiritalwaysleadswhenthetimeisappropriate.163

157 Moroni10:15-161582Nephi31:13-14,2Nephi32:2159Sometimesreferredtoasa“messageintongues.”1601Corinthians14:16161Matthew11:151621Corinthians14:23163“Supposeamanhadthediscerningofspirits,whowouldbethewiserforit?Orifhehadtheinterpretationoftongues,unlesssomeonespokeinanunknowntongue,heofcoursewouldhavetobesilent;thereareonlytwogiftsthatcouldbemadevisible—thegiftoftonguesandthegiftofprophecy.Thesearethingsthatarethemosttalkedabout,andyetifapersonspokeinanunknowntongue,accordingtoPaul’stestimony,hewouldbeabarbariantothosepresent[see1Corinthians14:11].Theywouldsaythatitwasgibberish;andifheprophesiedtheywouldcallitnonsense.Thegiftoftonguesisthe

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There have been occasion when I have blessed someone intongues,whispering undermy breathwhile another is voicing ablessing.Usually,nooneknows Iamdoing this,but theSpirit isstrongandIactinfaithasIusethegift.Thisisasweetexperienceasweareabletocalldownthepowersofheavenintheirbehalf.HowdoesonereceivethatgiftofTongues?Isitassimpleasasking,oristheresomesacrificewhichisrequired?ThePsalmistoftheOldTestamentoffersaclue:

“Delivermefrombloodguiltiness,OGod,thouGodofmysalvation:andmytongueshallsingaloudofthy righteousness.OLord,openthoumy lips;andmy mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thoudesirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thoudelightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices ofGod are a broken spirit: a broken and a contriteheart,OGod,thouwiltnotdespise.”(Psalm51:14-17)

“Abrokenandacontriteheart,”164aphraseoftenusedbytheLordtodescribetherequirementstocometotheLord.Itmeanstofullysubmit toHim,without reservation.Thisversealludes tosingingandopeningthemouthforpraise.MakingthepointthatallGodwantsisabrokenandcontriteheart,themakingsoftheGiftoftheHolyGhost.165smallestgiftperhapsofthewhole,andyetitisonethatisthemostsoughtafter.”HistoryoftheChurch,5:26–31;bracketedwordsinsecondparagraphinoriginal;punctuationandgrammarmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;from“GiftoftheHolyGhost,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,June15,1842,pp.823–25;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.1643Nephi9:201653Nephi9:20

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“DoyenotrememberthatIsaiduntoyouthatafteryehadreceivedtheHolyGhostyecouldspeakwiththetongueofangels?Andnow,howcouldyespeakwiththetongueofangelssaveitwerebytheHolyGhost?”(2Nephi32:2)

TospeakwiththegiftofTonguesrequiresustofirstreceivethegiftoftheHolyGhost.

“Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,Iknowthatifyeshall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart,actingnohypocrisyandnodeceptionbeforeGod,but with real intent, repenting of your sins,witnessinguntotheFatherthatyearewillingtotakeuponyouthenameofChrist,bybaptism—yea,byfollowingyourLordandyourSaviordownintothewater,accordingtohisword,behold,thenshallyereceive the Holy Ghost; yea, then comeththebaptismoffireandoftheHolyGhost;andthencanyespeakwiththetongueofangels,andshoutpraisesuntotheHolyOneofIsrael.”(2Nephi31:13)

AfterreceivingtheGiftoftheHolyGhosttheSpiritmaygiveyouthegifttospeakinanothertongue.The Apostle Paul wrote much regarding the spiritual gift of Tongues. This was not an uncommon occurrence among the earliest Christian converts.166

“AndGodhathsetsomeinthechurch,firstapostles,secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after thatmiracles,thengiftsofhealings,helps,governments,diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are allprophets? are all teachers? Are all workersof miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do allspeak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet

166Acts19:6

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earnestlythebestgifts:andyetshewIuntoyouamoreexcellentway.(1Corinthians12:28-31)

Whatwerethebestgifts?Hesetsomeinthechurch:first,apostlesorspecialwitnesseswhoreceivetheknowledgeofGod;theSecondComforter. Second, prophets; who preach repentance to thepeopleandhavethegiftofprophecy.Third,teachers;whoreceivethe gift of revelation and the gift of preaching to bring souls toChrist.Thesegiftsareworthytocovetwithrighteousness.ThegiftoftonguesisanothertooltheLordgivesustoblessothersandtocomeclosertoHim.This gift cannot be adequately wielded before receiving charity or the Gift of the Holy Ghost. But can’t someone receive this gift before the gift of charity?167Paulsaid,“ThoughIspeakwiththetonguesofmenandofangels,andhavenotcharity,Iambecomeassoundingbrass,oratinklingcymbal.” 168 Without the Holy Ghost, the gift of tongues isunprofitable.Whyisthat?Because,unlessweareconnectedtothewilloftheFatheritisnoteffective.169TheApostlePaulwrotealettertotheCorinthianswhostruggledwiththespiritualgiftoftongues.Thereismuchheretoponder:

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh inan unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.[prayforaninterpretation.]14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spiritprayeth,butmyunderstandingisunfruitful.[Oftenwhenweprayintongues,weourselvesdon’tknowthemeaning.]15Whatisitthen?Iwillpraywiththespirit,andIwillpraywiththeunderstandingalso:Iwillsingwith

167Matthew7:22-231681Corinthians13:1169D&C63:64

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thespirit,andIwillsingwiththeunderstandingalso.[OnecansingintonguesandfeelthepoweroftheLordtoo.]16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit,[Tonguesareoftenusedforblessing]howshallhethatoccupieththeroomoftheunlearnedsayAmenatthygivingofthanks,seeingheunderstandethnotwhatthousayest?17Forthouverilygivestthankswell,buttheotherisnotedified.[Donotusetonguesforthosewhoare unfamiliar with this gift, withoutinterpretation.]18IthankmyGod,Ispeakwithtonguesmorethanyeall:[Pauladmitsheusesthisgiftmuch.]19Yet inthechurchIhadratherspeakfivewordswithmy understanding, that bymy voice I mightteach others also, than ten thousand words inanunknowntongue.[Herarelyusesinagathering.]20 Brethren, be not children in understanding:howbeit in malice be ye children, butinunderstandingbemen.21Inthelawitiswritten,WithmenofothertonguesandotherlipswillIspeakuntothispeople;andyetforallthatwilltheynothearme,saiththeLord.17022Wherefore tonguesare fora sign,not to themthat believe, but to them that believe not: [Ablessing for us, but not for unbelievers.]butprophesyingservethnotforthemthatbelievenot,butforthemwhichbelieve.23Ifthereforethewholechurchbecometogetherintooneplace,andallspeakwithtongues,andtherecome in those that areunlearned, or unbelievers,willtheynotsaythatyearemad?

170Isaiah28:11

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24But ifallprophesy,andtherecomeinonethatbelievethnot,oroneunlearned,heisconvincedofall,heisjudgedofall:[Thegiftofprophecyismuchlikethegiftoftongues,butinaknowntongue.]25 And thus are the secrets of his heart mademanifest; and so falling down on his face he willworship God, and report that God is in you of atruth.26 How is it then, brethren? when ye cometogether, every one of you hath a psalm, hath adoctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hathan interpretation. Let all things be doneuntoedifying.27 If anyman speak in anunknown tongue, let itbe by two, or at the most by three, and that bycourse;andletoneinterpret.[Multiplemayspeakin tongues, but be orderly, and someoneinterpret.]28 But if there be no interpreter, let himkeep silence in the church; and let him speak tohimself,andtoGod.[KeepyourtonguesilentiftheLordhasnotaninterpreterorcommandedyoutoopenyourmouth.]29Lettheprophetsspeaktwoorthree,andlettheotherjudge.[bytwoorthreewitnesses]30 Ifanythingberevealedtoanotherthatsittethby,letthefirstholdhispeace.[speakinturn]31Foryemayallprophesyonebyone,thatallmaylearn,andallmaybecomforted.32Andthespiritsoftheprophetsaresubjecttotheprophets.[Bekind,respectful,andwithcharity.]

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33 For God is not the author of confusion, butof peace, as in all churches of the saints.171 (1Corinthians14:13-33)

TheGiftofProphecyismuchlikethegiftofTongues,however,itistobespokeninyourowntongue.Arethereanyotherreasonsforspeakingintongues?Ihavefoundthatthereisanelementofpurefaith,whichtriggersaresponsefromtheSpiritwhenspeaking intongues that I cannot receive in any other way. A release ofinhibition,child-likefaithwherewesimplytrustintheLord.Faithasa little child is required toenter theKingdomofHeaven; is itnot?172

“Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,Iknowthatifyeshall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart,actingnohypocrisyandnodeceptionbeforeGod,but with real intent, repenting of your sins,witnessinguntotheFatherthatyearewillingtotakeuponyouthenameofChrist,bybaptism—yea,byfollowingyourLordandyourSaviordownintothewater,accordingtohisword,behold,thenshallyereceive the Holy Ghost; yea, then comeththebaptismoffireandoftheHolyGhost;andthencanyespeakwiththetongueofangels,andshoutpraisesuntotheHolyOneofIsrael.”173

171“Astothegiftoftongues,allwecansayis,thatinthisplace,wehavereceiveditastheancientsdid:wewishyou,however,tobecarefullestinthisyoubedeceived.…Satanwillnodoubttroubleyouaboutthegiftoftongues,unlessyouarecareful;youcannotwatchhimtooclosely,norpraytoomuch.MaytheLordgiveyouwisdominallthings.”HistoryoftheChurch,1:369;fromaletterfromJosephSmithandhiscounselorsintheFirstPresidencytothebrethreninMissouri,July2,1833,Kirtland,Ohio.172Matthew18:3173 InthehistoricalLDSchurchthegiftoftongueshadatonetimebeenveryprevalent;evenmoresothanmostotherChristiandenominationsinthe

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ThepurposeoftheGiftoftheHolyGhostistoprepareustoenterthepresenceoftheLord.AfterwereceivethegiftofCharitywemay receive the gift of Tongues. Every time, in my personalexperience,IhavebeenallowedtocomeintotheLord’spresenceat the Heavenly Throne I have prayed in tongues first. Theoutpouring of the Spirit and its subsequent instructions alwaysprepareme.174

“DoyenotrememberthatIsaiduntoyouthatafteryehadreceivedtheHolyGhostyecouldspeakwiththetongueofangels?Andnow,howcouldyespeakwiththetongueofangelssaveitwerebytheHolyGhost? Angels speak by the power of the HolyGhost;wherefore, theyspeak thewordsofChrist.Wherefore,Isaiduntoyou,feastuponthewordsofChrist;[revelations]forbehold,thewordsofChristwilltellyouallthingswhatyeshoulddo.”(2Nephi32:2-3)

The Lord had told his apostles that He would send them thecomforter.175WhenthedaycameItwasabestowalofgreatspiritualpower.

northeasternstates.Therearemanyaccountsoftheearlysaintsexperiencingthesegifts.But,todayitishardtofindanexampleofthegiftusedamongthemembers.Toreadsomeoftheseaccountsgoto:HowToHaveYourSecondComforter,byAnonymous,pg.148-152174I’mnotsayingyoucannotgototheLordifyoudonotpracticethegiftofTongues;butithasalwaysmadeadifferenceformeandwashowtheLordtaughtme.175John14:16,John15:26ThenamegivenbyChristtotheHolySpirit.TheoriginalwordisParaclete,andmeansadefender,helper,strengthener,aswellascomforter.

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“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,they were all with one accord in one place. Andsuddenlytherecameasoundfromheavenasofarushing mighty wind, and it filled all the housewheretheyweresitting.Andthereappeareduntothemcloventongueslikeasoffire,anditsatuponeachofthem.AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost,andbegan tospeakwithother tongues,astheSpiritgavethemutterance.”(Acts2:1-4)

IthasalwaysbeeninterestingtomehowthegiftofTonguesand“cloventongueslikeasoffire”canbeusedtogether.ThegloryoftheLordcomparedtoahumantongue?ThegiftoftonguesisoftenanimmediatespiritualgiftbestoweduponapersonafterreceivingthebaptismoffireandgiftoftheHolyGhost.

“Lettheanointingofthyministersbesealeduponthemwith power from on high. Let it be fulfilleduponthem,asuponthoseonthedayofPentecost;let the gift of tongues be poured out upon thypeople, even cloven tongues as of fire, and theinterpretationthereof. Andletthyhousebefilled,aswitharushingmightywind,withthyglory.” (D&C109:35-37)

What kind of tongue is it? A cloven tongue is a divided tongueshape.Thiswasapopularmetaphorintheancientmiddleeasttodescribewhat flames do as they rise.When a person speaks intongues,theyoftenraisetheirvoicestoGodinpraise.Whentheyspeakthetongueofangelsinaforeignlanguage,theyspeakbythepower of the Holy Ghost; the same “cloven tongue” which is awitnessofdivineintervention.When someone receives the baptism of fire what happens tothem?ThefireorgloryofGodrestsuponthem.Atypicalreactionofsuchanexperienceistospeakinthetongueofangels.Somewill

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prophesy and some will witness the white fire or glory thatsurroundsthem.Evensome,becausetheireyesarenotopen,willonlysensewhatishappeningtothem.WhenIreceivedmybaptismoffireandgiftoftheHolyGhost,IsawtheglorycomedownuponthegroupofmenIwaswith.Isawthewhite flames above the heads of many of these men.176 I wasovercomeandsaidwordsIdonotremember,butIdidnotspeakintonguesuntilmonthslater.Eachpersonwillexperiencethisgiftiftheyseekitbyfaith.Donotdismiss itsbeautifulblessingtowardhelping you to come to the Lord. If you carry any unbelief ordiscomfort,put itasideandtrust in theLord.Forme, thegiftoftongueswasindispensableinpartingtheveilandcomingtoGod.

10)InterpretationofTonguesAnyonewhoreceivesthegiftofTonguesmustseekthecompaniongiftoftheInterpretationforwhatwasspoken.IhavelearnedfromexperiencethatifIdon’tseekaninterpretationitwillnotbegiven.ThisisusuallyhowtheLordworks;andthisgiftiscloselyassociatedwiththegiftofrevelation.When I pray in tongues I prefer to focus on the way I feel, anattitude of praise and love towardmy Father. There have beentimeswhenIhaveaskedtheLordthemeaningofwhatIwassayingandwastoldthattheywerefamiliarwordsofpraisethatmyspiritunderstood.Attimesthewordssoundedlikeaparticularlanguage,andothertimesnot.WhenIhavebeenpresentwhenothershavespokenintonguesIimmediatelyasktheLordwhatisbeingsaid.Thewordsorphraseshavecometomymindveryclearly,oftenhearingthewordsrepeat

176Acts2:3,HowToHaveYourSecondComforter,Anonymous,pg.116

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themselves.AsIoftendowhenreceivingrevelation,IwillasktheLordifmyrevelationiscorrect.Sometimes,althoughIhavebeengiven an interpretation, I have been impressed to not speak it.Withinashorttime,someoneelsewouldgivetheinterpretation.Itis interesting to me how the words they offered were usuallydifferentthanmine,yetmeantthesamething.JosephSmithsaidthefollowing:

Be not so curious about tongues, do not speak intonguesexcepttherebeaninterpreterpresent;theultimatedesignoftonguesistospeaktoforeigners,and if persons are very anxious to display theirintelligence, let them speak to such in their owntongues.ThegiftsofGodareallusefulintheirplace,butwhentheyareappliedtothatwhichGoddoesnotintend,theyproveaninjury,asnareandacurseinsteadofablessing.177

In Joseph Smith’s time, the gift of Tongues was very commonamongthemembers.178Toseektospeakintonguestosimplyshowwhatyoucandoisabadidea.WemustalwaysbecautiousthatitisledbytheSpiritoftheLord.

“Speak not in the gift of tongues withoutunderstanding it, or without interpretation. Thedevilcanspeakintongues;theadversarywillcomewithhiswork;hecantemptallclasses;canspeakinEnglishorDutch.Letnoonespeakintonguesunlessheinterpret,exceptbytheconsentoftheonewho

177HistoryoftheChurch,3:392;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithaboutJuly1839inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.178HowtoHaveYourSecondComforter,Anonymous,pg.148-152

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is placed to preside; then he may discern orinterpret,oranothermay.”179“Ifyouhaveamattertoreveal,letitbeinyourowntongue;donotindulgetoomuchintheexerciseofthegiftoftongues,orthedevilwilltakeadvantageof the innocent and unwary. You may speak intonguesforyourowncomfort,but I laythisdownfor a rule, that if anything is taught by the gift oftongues,itisnottobereceivedfordoctrine.”180

What do you consider doctrine? For me it is anything which IreceivefromtheLordasreceivedbyrevelation.181AnytimeIhearsomeonespeakintonguesandaninterpretationisgivenIalwaysseekaconfirmation;sometimesaskingtwoorthreetimes.Ihavebeeningroupswheretonguesandinterpretationwasgiven,andmultiple witnesses bore testimony that they too received aconfirmationof its truthfulness. The LawofWitnesses is a goodstandard.182Imentioned in theprevioussection thatsometimes the tonguesspokenwouldringhollowtomeandIreceivednointerpretation.Familiarspiritscanalsocauseonetospeakintongues.Speakingintonguesinpubliccanbeasnaretothosewhodoittoofrequently.Itimmediatelyattractsattention,especiallywheninalargegroup.WemustbesureweareledbytheSpiritoftheLordsoastonotbedeceived.179HistoryoftheChurch,3:392;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithaboutJuly1839inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.180“doctrine,”meaningchurchdoctrine.HistoryoftheChurch,4:607;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonApr.28,1842,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyElizaR.Snow.181John7:16-17,1Corinthians14:5-6,3Nephi11:26-40,D&C11:16,D&C88:77-78,D&C97:14,D&C121:45182Matthew18:16

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“Tonguesweregivenforthepurposeofpreachingamongthosewhoselanguageisnotunderstood;ason the day of Pentecost, etc.,183 and it is notnecessary for tongues to be taught to the Churchparticularly, for anyman thathas theHolyGhost,canspeakofthethingsofGodinhisowntongueaswellastospeakinanother;forfaithcomesnotbysigns,butbyhearingthewordofGod.”184

JosephismakingthesamepointthattheApostlePaulmadetotheCorinthians. The purpose of speaking in tongues is to share theGospelinsomeone’sownlanguage,nottoproveasasignthatwehavespecialpower.Therefore,theremustbeagoodreasonwhenthegiftoftonguesisspokeninagroupsetting.AretherecluesthatwillhelpusdiscernifthegiftoftonguesisnotfromGod?Josephsaidthefollowing:

“Wehavealsohadbrethrenandsisterswhohavehadthegiftoftonguesfalsely;theywouldspeakinamuttering, unnatural voice, and their bodies bedistorted…;whereas,thereisnothingunnaturalintheSpiritofGod.”185

183“Ireadthe13thchapterofFirstCorinthians[atameetingheldonDecember26,1841],alsoapartofthe14thchapter,andremarkedthatthegiftoftongueswasnecessaryintheChurch;…thegiftoftonguesbythepoweroftheHolyGhostintheChurch,isforthebenefitoftheservantsofGodtopreachtounbelievers,asonthedayofPentecost.”HistoryoftheChurch,4:485;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonDec.26,1841,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.184HistoryoftheChurch,3:379;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonJune27,1839,inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.185HistoryoftheChurch,4:580;punctuationmodernized;from“TrytheSpirits,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,Apr.1,1842,p.747;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.

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Therearepeoplewhowillspeakintongues,likeaspiritualmedium,tosharewordsofdifferentspiritspresent.Iftheyseemtochangepersonalityitisaredflagtobesure.Iwouldbewaryofsuchusageofthisgift.Ifyouhaveevertrulywitnessedsomeonespeakintonguesitisabeautifulthingtobehold.Ihavefoundthatthetonguespokenisoften thatof theangelswhoarewithyou.Theywill radiate theSpirit of the Lord and speak in a manner that does not feeluncomfortable or forced. Thosewho speakwill do so slowly, ornaturally;butitisalwaysbefilledwithlight.Evenso,itisbesttoasktheLordforaconfirmationandinterpretation.Ihopethatyouwill seek and exercise the gift of tongues, as well as theinterpretationoftongues.ThesegiftsareofGodandwillbringyougreatjoy.

11)DiscerningofSpiritsThegiftofDiscernmentisthesecondgift I listedinthisbook;itsimportance is critical to ourmoving forward as a servant of theLord.Thisothergift,whichinvolvesdiscerningspirits, isonethatforsomereasonmanydonotseek.Aswithmanyofthegiftsofthespirit, previous beliefs and traditions may sway our desires. Irememberasachildbeingpetrifiedofghosts,evilspirits,andotherparanormal subjects, because of stories and tales, movies andteachings,whichtaughtmetoavoidthesethingsalltogether.Whywouldanyonewanttohaveagiftwhichwouldopenadarkandcreepyplace,evena clearviewof theworld that isactivelysurroundingus?186

186Ofcourse,notallspiritsareevil,someareconfused,somearemischievous.Wemustknowwhatwearedealingwiththatwemightprotectthosetowhomweloveandserve.

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“NowtheSpiritspeakethexpressly,thatinthelattertimessomeshalldepartfromthefaith,givingheedto seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.“ (1Timothy4:1)

Howcananyonefightagainstwhattheydonotknow?Howmuchdowenotsee? “Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls.”187 The fact is thatweareall surroundedbydemonswhodesire todestroy us.188 Jesus was able to discern spirits, to know thepresenceofdevils.Heevenknewtheirintentions.

“Andateven,when the sundid set, theybroughtuntohimallthatwerediseased,andthemthatwerepossessedwithdevils.Andallthecitywasgatheredtogetheratthedoor.Andhehealedmanythatweresick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils;andsufferednotthedevilstospeak,becausetheyknewhim.”(Mark1:32-34)

TheLorddesiresuswhoareHisservantstodealwithsuchthings:

“Thenhe called his twelve disciples together, andgavethempowerandauthorityoveralldevils,andto curediseases.Andhe sent them topreach thekingdomofGod,andtohealthesick.”(Luke9:1-21)

The Lord also called seventy more disciples and when theyreturnedtotheLordtheysaid,187Helaman13:37188Theword“demon”istheBiblicalwordforbadspirits.

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“And the seventy returned againwith joy, saying,Lord,eventhedevilsaresubjectuntousthroughthyname. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan aslightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give untoyou power to tread on serpents and scorpions,189andoverall thepoweroftheenemy:andnothingshall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding inthisrejoicenot,thatthespiritsaresubjectuntoyou;but rather rejoice, because your namesarewritteninheaven.” (Luke 10:17-20)

InresponsetotheirtriumphantreturntheLordadmonishesthemthatthesearefallenangelswithgreatpower,butHehasgivenHisservantspoweroverthem.However,totheLordthisisnotworthyof rejoicing, only that their names arewritten in heaven;whichmeansthattheyareamongtheservantsoftheLord.TheApostlePaulcounseledthesaintsregardingtheseevilspirits.

“But I say, that the things which the Gentilessacrifice,theysacrificetodevils,andnottoGod:andI would not that ye should have fellowship withdevils.YecannotdrinkthecupoftheLord,andthecupofdevils:yecannotbepartakersoftheLord’stable, and of the table of devils.” (1 Corinthians10:20-21)

Howoftendoweplayintothehandsofdevils,theevilspiritsthatenticeustosin?Whatdoweallowourselvestowatch,tohear,tosay,togo,todo?Ifyoudothebiddingofevilspirits,youcannotdotheLord’sworkunlesswerepentandchooseChrist.That’sahardpill formany to swallowwho live in theworld. Jesus said, “My

189Namestodenoteclassesofdevils.

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kingdomisnotofthisworld.”190Wemustbeabletodiscernandchoosewisely.

“PutonthewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybeable to stand against the wiles of the devil. Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,against therulersofthe darkness of this world, againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.”Ephesians6:11-12

YourbiggestbattleintheSpiritwillbeagainsttheunseenrealmofdarkness.ThisgiftiscriticaltobeingaservantoftheLord.Haveyousuited up your armor?191 Are you a soldier for the Lord? Everyservantmustbeasoldier.Notthekindthatchargesrecklesslyintobattle;butthekindthatseekstheinstructionsoftheirleader,andtoactpreciselyastold.ThisishowasoldieroftheLordoperatesagainsttheAdversary.Andtosuchindividualsthereisnodanger.Howdoweprotectourselvesfromthiskindofevilanddeception?

“Buthegivethmoregrace.Whereforehesaith,Godresisteth the proud, but giveth grace untothe humble. Submit yourselves therefore toGod. Resist the devil, and he will flee fromyou. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh toyou. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;andpurifyyourhearts,yedoubleminded.”(James4:6-86)

WearetoldbehumbleandsubmissivebeforetheLord.ThismeanstoseekHiswillconcerningthematter.Then,wearetoresistthe

190John18:36191HowtoHaveYourSecondComforter,Anonymous,pg.95-104

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evil spirits.We do not ignore them ormake friendswith them,unlessthatiswhatweareexpresslycommandedbytheLordtodo.Inthelastdays,someofSatan’sgreatestangelsofdarknessshallfilltheearth.192Thesesonsofperditionshallwalkamongus,andasHisservantswemustbeabletodiscern.

“AndIsawthreeuncleanspiritslikefrogscomeoutofthemouthofthedragon,andoutofthemouthofthebeast,andoutofthemouthofthefalseprophet.For they are the spirits of devils,workingmiracles,whichgoforthuntothekingsoftheearthandofthewholeworld,togatherthemtothe battle of that great day of God Almighty.”(Revelations16:13-14)

ThegiftsoftheSpiritthatleadtoChristareforoursalvation,forwithout them we would perish. We must know our enemy todefeathim.193

1921Timothy4:1193D&C29:36-40“36AnditcametopassthatAdam,beingtemptedofthedevil—for,behold,thedevilwasbeforeAdam,[SatanstoodbeforeMichael.]forherebelledagainstme,[JesusChrist]saying,Givemethinehonor,[Hisglory]whichismypower;andalsoathirdpart[Oneofthreegroupsofbeings.]ofthehostsofheaventurnedheawayfrommebecauseoftheiragency;37Andtheywerethrustdown,[Removedfromthehigherrealms,separatedbythefirmament.]andthuscamethedevilandhisangels;38And,behold,thereisaplacepreparedforthemfromthebeginning,whichplaceishell.[TheplaceofSatan’sdominionwasalwayspartoftheplansincethebeginning.]39Anditmustneedsbethatthedevilshouldtemptthechildrenofmen,ortheycouldnotbeagentsuntothemselves;foriftheynevershouldhavebittertheycouldnotknowthesweet—[Itwasexpectedtohappen,asthereisoppositioninallthings.]40Wherefore,itcametopassthatthedeviltemptedAdam,andhepartookoftheforbiddenfruitandtransgressedthecommandment,[wentbeyondthe

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“O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! Forbehold, ifthefleshshouldrisenomoreourspiritsmust become subject to that angelwho fell frombeforethepresenceoftheEternalGod,andbecamethedevil, to risenomore.194Andour spiritsmusthave become like unto him, and we becomedevils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from thepresenceofourGod,andtoremainwiththefatheroflies,inmisery,likeuntohimself;yea,tothatbeingwho beguiled our first parents,who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel oflight,andstirrethupthechildrenofmenuntosecretcombinations ofmurder and allmanner of secretworksofdarkness.”(2Nephi9:8-9)

Ihavewrittenextensivelyabouttherealmofdarkness.Themoreoneknowsofhisenemy, themorepower iswielded towardhisdefeat. It is critical that theLord’s servantsunderstandhowthisrealmoperates.195It is not always easy to discern spirits and the people who areinfluencedbythem.Therearepeoplewalkingamongstus,thosewitha kindly faceand reputation,whose spirit is asdarkashellitself.Someofthemostnotoriousserialkillersinhistorywerethemost harmless looking from their outward appearance. Neverjudgeabookmyitscover;lookdeeper.

limits]whereinhebecamesubjecttothewillofthedevil,[Satanachievedhisdesigntoestablishhisowndominion.]becauseheyieldeduntotemptation.”194ThereisafalsebeliefamongmanythatSatanwillrepentatsomepoint,toreturntoGod.Thisleadssometotreadlightly,withsupposedgentlenessandcharitytowardtheAdversary.Thisisadangerousbeliefandisnottrue.195Goto:AWitnessoftheEndofTimes,Anonymous,pg.71-97

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“But behold, the devil hath deceived me; forheappeareduntomeintheformofanangel,andsaiduntome:Goandreclaimthispeople,fortheyhaveallgoneastrayafteranunknownGod.Andhesaiduntome:ThereisnoGod;yea,andhetaughtme thatwhich I should say.And Ihave taughthiswords; and I taught them because they werepleasingunto thecarnalmind;and I taught them,evenuntilIhadmuchsuccess,insomuchthatIverilybelieved that theywere true; and for this cause Iwithstoodthetruth,evenuntil Ihavebroughtthisgreatcurseuponme.”(Alma30:53)

Korihorwasdeceivedbyadevildisguisedasanangeloflight.Headmittedthathisteachings“werepleasinguntothecarnalmind.”Evilspiritscanspeakthingstouswordsthatarecomfortableandpleasing.TheLordhascounseled:“Verily,verily,Isayuntoyou,yemustwatchandprayalways,lestyebetemptedbythedevil,andyebeledawaycaptivebyhim.”196

“For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forthgoodwater;neithercanagoodfountainbringforthbitterwater;wherefore,amanbeinga servantofthedevilcannotfollowChrist;andifhefollowChristhecannotbeaservantofthedevil.Wherefore,allthings which are good cometh of God; and thatwhichisevilcomethofthedevil;forthedevilisanenemy unto God, and fighteth against himcontinually,andinvitethandenticethtosin,andtodothatwhichisevilcontinually.“(Moroni7:11-12)

To“watch”istobelookingandobservant;to“pray”istobeaskingforhelp.All thegiftsof theSpiritaregiventohelpustodiscernwhatisofGodorthedevil.1963Nephi18:15

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“ButyearecommandedinallthingstoaskofGod,who giveth liberally; and that which the SpirittestifiesuntoyouevensoIwouldthatyeshoulddoin all holiness of heart, walking uprightly beforeme,consideringtheendofyoursalvation,doingallthingswithprayerandthanksgiving,thatyemaynotbeseducedbyevilspirits,ordoctrinesofdevils,orthecommandmentsofmen;forsomeareofmen,andothersofdevils.Wherefore,bewarelestyearedeceived;andthatyemaynotbedeceivedseekyeearnestly the best gifts, always remembering forwhat they are given; For verily I say unto you,theyaregivenforthebenefitofthosewholovemeand keep all my commandments, and him thatseekethsotodo;thatallmaybebenefitedthatseekor thataskofme, thataskandnot forasignthattheymayconsumeitupontheirlusts.”(D&C46:7-9)

Ifwepraytodiscern,withholinessandpurityofheart,andwithgratitude, we shall be given the discernment we need aspromised.197TheProphetJosephSmithtaught:

“Recentoccurrencesthathavetranspiredamongstusrenderitanimperativedutydevolvinguponmetosaysomethinginrelationtothespiritsbywhichmenareactuated.“ItisevidentfromtheApostles’writings[intheNewTestament],thatmanyfalsespiritsexistedintheirday,andhad‘goneforthintotheworld,’andthatit

197D&C50:31-33

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needed intelligencewhichGodalonecould imparttodetectfalsespirits,andtoprovewhatspiritswereofGod.198 Theworld ingeneralhavebeengrosslyignorantinregardtothisonething,andwhyshouldtheybeotherwise—‘fornomanknowsthethingsofGod,butbytheSpiritofGod.’199“Therealwaysdid,ineveryage,seemtobealackofintelligencepertaining to this subject.Spiritsofallkinds have been manifested, in every age, andalmostamongstallpeople.…Allhavetheirspirits,allhaveasupernaturalagency,andallcontendthattheirspiritsareofGod.Whoshallsolvethemystery?‘Trythespirits,’saysJohn200,butwhoistodoit?Thelearned, the eloquent, the philosopher, the sage,thedivine—all are ignorant.…Who candrag intodaylight and develop the hiddenmysteries of thefalse spirits that so frequently aremademanifestamong the Latter-day Saints?We answer that noman can do this without the Priesthood,201 andhavingaknowledgeofthelawsbywhichspiritsaregoverned;foras‘nomanknowsthethingsofGod,butbytheSpiritofGod,’sonomanknowsthespiritof the devil, and his power and influence, but bypossessingintelligencewhichismorethanhuman,and having unfolded through the medium of thePriesthood the mysterious operations of hisdevices.…’[TheLordmustteachyou.]“Amanmusthavethediscerningofspiritsbeforehecan drag into daylight this hellish influence and

1981John4:1-41991Corinthians2:112001John4:1201ThosewitharelationshipwithGod,establishedthroughrevelation.

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unfold it unto theworld in all its soul-destroying,diabolical,andhorridcolors;fornothingisagreaterinjurytothechildrenofmenthantobeundertheinfluenceofafalsespiritwhentheythinktheyhavetheSpiritofGod.Thousandshavefelttheinfluenceofitsterriblepowerandbanefuleffects.…’

“Aswehavenoticedbefore,thegreatdifficultyliesintheignoranceofthenatureofspirits,ofthelawsbywhichtheyaregoverned,andthesignsbywhichtheymaybeknown;ifitrequirestheSpiritofGodtoknowthethingsofGod;andthespiritofthedevilcanonlybeunmaskedthroughthatmedium,thenitfollowsasanaturalconsequencethatunlesssomeperson or persons have a communication, orrevelation from God, unfolding to them theoperationofthespirit,theymusteternallyremainignorantoftheseprinciples;forIcontendthatifoneman cannot understand these things but by theSpiritofGod, tenthousandmencannot; it isalikeoutofthereachofthewisdomofthelearned,thetongueof theeloquent, thepowerof themighty.Andweshallatlasthavetocometothisconclusion,whateverwemaythinkofrevelation,thatwithoutitwecanneitherknownorunderstandanythingofGod,orthedevil;andhowever,unwillingtheworldmaybetoacknowledgethisprinciple, it isevidentfrom the multifarious creeds and notionsconcerning this matter that they understandnothing of this principle, and it is equally as plainthat without a divine communication they mustremaininignorance.…“Amanmusthave thediscerningof spirits, aswebeforestated,tounderstandthesethings,andhow

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ishe toobtain thisgift if therearenogiftsof theSpirit?Andhowcanthesegiftsbeobtainedwithoutrevelation?‘Christascendedintoheaven,andgavegiftstomen;andHegavesomeApostles,andsomeProphets,andsomeEvangelists,andsomePastorsandTeachers.’202And how were Apostles, Prophets, Pastors,Teachers and Evangelists chosen? By prophecy(revelation)andbylayingonofhands:—byadivinecommunication, and a divinely appointedordinance—throughthemediumofthePriesthood,organizedaccordingtotheorderofGod,bydivineappointment.TheApostlesinancienttimesheldthekeys of this Priesthood—of the mysteries of thekingdomofGod,andconsequentlywereenabledtounlock and unravel all things pertaining to thegovernmentof theChurch, thewelfareof society,the futuredestinyofmen,and theagency,powerandinfluenceofspirits;fortheycouldcontrolthematpleasure,bidthemdepartinthenameofJesus,and detect their mischievous and mysteriousoperations when trying to palm themselves upontheChurchinareligiousgarb,andmilitateagainsttheinterestoftheChurchandspreadoftruth.…“…OurSavior,theApostles,andeventhemembersof theChurch203wereendowedwith this gift, for,says Paul, ‘To one is given the gift of tongues, toanother the interpretation of tongues, to anotherthe working of miracles, to another prophecy, toanother the discerning of spirits.’204 All these

202Ephesians4:8,11203Notexclusivetochurchauthorityorgender.2041Corinthians12:10

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proceeded fromthesameSpiritofGod,andwerethegiftsofGod.…Nomannorsetofmenwithouttheregularlyconstitutedauthorities,thePriesthoodand discerning of spirits, can tell true from falsespirits.”205

Inmyownexperience,itwasnotuntilIwaswillingtoovercomemyfears,attheLord’stiminganddiscretion,thatHetaughtmeabouttheAdversary and how to dealwith this. I never did seek it forcuriosity, but the Lord initiatedmy education; and I am forevergrateful.TheleveltowhichyouwillascendasaservantofGodwillbedirectlyconnectedtothecourageandwillingnessyoushowtoengage the Adversary.206 Do not be afraid. Remember thecomforting words of the prophet Mormon, “for perfect lovecastethoutallfear.”207

12)GiftofProphecyAt first glance, this gift of the Spirit208 seems to imply that itspurposewouldbetoforetellthefuture;toprophesyofthingstocome---butitisfarmore.

205HistoryoftheChurch,4:571–75,580;punctuationandgrammarmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;from“TrytheSpirits,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,Apr.1,1842,pp.743–45,747;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.206JosephSmithsaid,“ThenearerapersonapproachestheLord,agreaterpowerwillbemanifestedbytheadversarytopreventtheaccomplishmentofHispurposes.”OrsonF.Whitney,LifeofHeberC.Kimball,SaltLakeCity:Bookcraft,1967,p.132 207Moroni8:16-17,1John4:18Thisshouldberead:perfectlove[fortheLord]castethoutallfear.2081Corinthians13:2,Alma9:21,3Nephi29:6,Mormon9:7

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TheGreekworldpropheteuoistranslatedas“prophesy”intheNewTestament. It means to assert the mind of God, whether byreproving,admonishing,comforting,orrevealing.TheapostlePaultaughtthefollowing:

“Followaftercharity,anddesirespiritualgifts,butratherthatyemayprophesy.Forhethatspeakethinanunknowntonguespeakethnotuntomen,butuntoGod:fornomanunderstandethhim;howbeitin the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But hethatprophesiethspeakethuntomentoedification,andexhortation,andcomfort.4Hethatspeakethinanunknowntongueedifiethhimself; but he that prophesieth edifieth thechurch.”1Corinthians14:1-4

IntheseversesPaulemphasizesthatafterwereceivecharity(Giftof theHolyGhost)andwedesiremorespiritualgifts,weshouldseekthegiftofprophesy.Suchagiftedifies,exhorts,andcomfortsthosewhoareamongthebelievers.Hedoesn’tmentionanythingaboutforecastingfutureevents;althoughsuchrevelationswouldfall under this gift.209 The emphasis of possessing charity first isstronglystated.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, andunderstand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and

209Mosiah8:15-17“Andthekingsaidthataseerisgreaterthanaprophet.AndAmmonsaidthataseerisarevelatorandaprophetalso;andagiftwhichisgreatercannomanhave,exceptheshouldpossessthepowerofGod,whichnomancan;yetamanmayhavegreatpowergivenhimfromGod.Butaseercanknowofthingswhicharepast,andalsoofthingswhicharetocome,andbythemshallallthingsberevealed,or,rather,shallsecretthingsbemademanifest,andhiddenthingsshallcometolight,andthingswhicharenotknownshallbemadeknownbythem,andalsothingsshallbemadeknownbythemwhichotherwisecouldnotbeknown.”[Seershipisanextensionofthegiftofprophesy,whichisgivenbytheLord.]

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though I have all faith, so that I could removemountains,andhavenotcharity, Iamnothing.”1Corinthians13:22

IfwedonotknowtheLord’sdivinewillandlovetowardotherswearewithoutpowerintheHolyGhost.Sometimesinourzealwecanget aheadof ourselves. There is a progression in these gifts. AninterestinginsightcanbefoundinthebookofRevelation:

“And I fellathis feet toworshiphim.Andhesaiduntome,Seethoudoitnot:Iamthyfellowservant,and of thy brethren that have the testimony ofJesus:worshipGod:forthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”(Revelation19:10)

Johndeclaresthatthe“testimonyofJesus”isthegiftofprophecy.How do we interpret the “testimony of Jesus?” A testimony isanother word for a “witness.” The Greek transliteration for“testimony” ismarturea, which means “to give evidence.”Onewho has the testimony of Jesus has a revelatorywitness fromChrist and they are commanded to share it. When the angelappearedtoJohnandhefelldownathisfeet,theangelrebukedhimandsaidhewasafellowservant,thattheybothhadthesamewitnessofJesus.TohavethegiftofprophesyistobearthewitnessofJesus,usingHiswordsastestimonybyrevelationtothepeople.

The following scripture identifies who are those who have thistestimonyofJesusorthegiftofProphesy:

50 And again we bear record—for we saw andheard, and this is the testimony of the gospel ofChrist [testimony of Jesus / gift of prophecy]concerning them who shall come forth in theresurrectionofthejust—

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51 They are they who received the testimony ofJesus,[giftofprophecy]andbelievedonhisnameandwerebaptized after themanner of his burial,being buried in the water in his name, and thisaccording to the commandment which he hasgiven—[werebaptizedbywater]52Thatbykeepingthecommandmentstheymightbewashedandcleansedfromalltheirsins,[baptismoffire]andreceivetheHolySpiritbythelayingonofthehandsofhimwhoisordainedandsealeduntothispower;[GiftoftheHolyGhost]53 And who overcome by faith, [by continuallyseeking God’s will in life and in eternity] andare sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, [havereceived the promise of exaltation] which theFathershedsforthuponallthosewhoarejustandtrue.54 They are they who are the church oftheFirstborn.[FourthEstate]55TheyaretheyintowhosehandstheFatherhasgivenallthings—56 They are theywho are priests and kings, whohavereceivedofhisfulness,andofhisglory;[Havereceived the Second Comforter, the calling andelection made sure, and stood in everlastingburnings.]57AndarepriestsoftheMostHigh,aftertheorderofMelchizedek,whichwasaftertheorderofEnoch,whichwasaftertheorderoftheOnlyBegottenSon.58Wherefore,asitiswritten,theyaregods,210eventhe sonsofGod—[frombefore the foundationoftheworld]59Wherefore,allthingsaretheirs,whetherlifeordeath,orthingspresent,orthingstocome,allare

210Psalms82:6

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theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.[patternofascension]60Andtheyshallovercomeallthings.[AsdidJesus.]61Wherefore,letnomangloryinman,butratherlethimgloryinGod,whoshallsubdueallenemiesunderhisfeet.62TheseshalldwellinthepresenceofGodandhisChristforeverandever.63These are theywhomhe shall bringwith him,when he shall come in the clouds of heavento reign on the earth over his people. [The 144Thousand]21164Theseare theywho shall havepart in the firstresurrection.[includedamongthem]65 These are they who shall come forth in theresurrectionofthejust.66ThesearetheywhoarecomeuntoMountZion,and unto the city of the living God, the heavenlyplace,theholiestofall.[ShallestablishZion.]67 These are they who have come to aninnumerable company of angels, to the generalassemblyandchurchofEnoch,andoftheFirstborn.[Havebeenapartofthesethreegroups]68 These are they whose names are written inheaven,whereGodandChristarethejudgeofall.69 These are they who are just menmade perfect212 through Jesus the mediator ofthe new covenant, who wrought out thisperfect atonement through the shedding of hisownblood.70 These are they whose bodies are celestial,whosegloryisthatofthesun,eventhegloryofGod,the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the

211Revelation19:14212Hebrews12:22-23

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firmamentiswrittenofasbeingtypical.[ThesunistheclosestvisualthingtocomparetothegloryofGod.]D&C76:50-70

Theseversesareloadedwithmultiplelayersofmeaning.WhoarethosewhoaregiventhegiftofProphesy?JosephSmithsaidthefollowing:

“NomanisaministerofJesusChristwithoutbeingaProphet.NomancanbeaministerofJesusChristexcepthehasthetestimonyofJesus;andthisisthespiritofprophecy.”213“JohntheRevelatorsaysthatthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.214Nowifanymanhasthetestimony of Jesus, has he not the spirit ofprophecy?Andifhehasthespiritofprophecy,Iask,ishenotaprophet?And if aprophet,willhenotreceive revelation? And any man that does notreceiverevelationforhimselfmustbedamned,forthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.ForChrist says, ask and you shall receive; and if hehappenstoreceiveanything, Iask,will itnotbearevelation?AndifanymanhasnotthetestimonyofJesusorthespiritofGod,heisnoneofhis,namelyChrist’s.Andifnothis,hemustbedamned.”215

213HistoryoftheChurch,3:389;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithaboutJuly1839inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.214Revelation19:10215 QuotedbyJamesBurgess,incompilationofexcerptsfromJosephSmith’sdiscourses;JamesBurgess,Journals,1841–48,vol.2,ChurchArchives

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Allofusmustatsomepointreceivethespiritofprophesy,216whichisthe“testimonyofJesus”orwewillbedamned.217Itisrequiredinordertoprogresstowardexaltation.ABostonreporterquotedJosephSmithassayingthefollowing:

“TheProphetJoseph[saidthat]…tobeaministerofJesus,amanmusttestifyofJesus;andtotestifyofJesus,amanmusthavethespiritofprophecy;for,accordingtoJohn,thetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.218

AsmembersoftheLDSchurcheachFastSundaywearegivenanopportunitytostandandbeartestimony.Howisthisdifferentfromthe spirit of prophesy, or the testimony of Jesus? Are thesetestimoniesatruewitnessofJesus?Itwoulddependonwhattheywitnessof.Whentheysay,“IknowthatJesusistheChrist”aretheysayingtheybelieve,orthattheytrulyknowHIm?219Thespiritofprophesycomesfromfirst-handknowledgeasawitness.

“IfamanprofessestobeaministerofJesusandhasnot the spirit of prophecy, he must be a falsewitness,forheisnotinpossessionofthatgiftwhichqualifies him for that office; and the difference

216 “NomancanbeaministerofJesusChristexcepthehasthetestimonyofJesus;andthisisthespiritofprophecy.”HistoryoftheChurch,3:389;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithaboutJuly1839inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.217Inrelationtowhereweareintheestatesofprogression.218HistoryoftheChurch,5:407–8;punctuationmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;frominstructionsgivenbyJosephSmithaboutJan.1843inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedinaletterbyanunidentifiedBostonBeecorrespondent,Mar.24,1843,Nauvoo,Illinois,publishedinTimesandSeasons,May15,1843,p.200.219OnecanbeawitnesswithoutafullnessofaSecondComforterexperience.AswereceivedirectrevelationfromtheLord,tohearHisvoice,webecomeawitnesstothatdegree.

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between [Joseph Smith] and the clergy of thisgenerationis,heclaimstobeinpossessionofthatspiritofprophecywhichqualifieshimto testifyofJesus and the Gospel of salvation; and the clergydenythatspirit,eventhespiritofprophecy,whichalone could constitute them true witnesses ortestatorsoftheLordJesus,andyetclaimtobetrueministersofsalvation.”220

At some point in your progression you must stand shoulder toshould with the angels, as did John, and possess the gift ofprophesy;thatyoutoomaywitnesstotheLord’speoplethewordsofGodfortheirsalvation.Thosewhobearthegiftofprophesycantrulysaywithconfidence,“ThussaiththeLord…”221

13)GiftofPreachingThegiftsoftheSpiritmaybecomparedtothevarioustalentswepossess.222Eachofuscomewithdifferentaptitudesorpropensitiesforskill.Whatinterestsusmostisultimatelywherewespendourtimeand focus, and inevitably leads to thedevelopmentof thattalent.Aresometalentsmorevaluablethanothers?Inthearenaoftalentedpeopletherearethosewhoseemtohaveit all. They leave us in awe and admiration as we watch theirphysicalabilitiesinprofessionalsports,ormusicalperformancesof

221IhaveattimesbeenovercomewiththeSpirittosaythingsthatwerenotofmyownthoughts.Usually,mywordsbeganwith,“IsayinthenameoftheLord…”Thereisnodoubtwhenspokeninthismannerthatthegiftofprophesyismanifest.Fromthatpoint,itisuptotherecipienttoreceiveawitnessforthemselves.222HowtoOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,Pg.

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thegreatones.But,whatmakesatalenttrulyvaluable?Ibelievetheanswertothatquestionistheonewhichhasthemostpositiveimpactuponpeople.Inthegrandschemeofeternity,Ibelievethegreatesttalentofallwouldbeourabilitytopreachthegospelwithpower.223 Such a gift would have a farther reaching effect thananything.Evenasingleseedplantedandnourishedwithcarecangrow intoamighty tree,whichbears fruit and spreads its seedsuntil an entire forest develops. I would rather have the gift topreachthewordofGodwithpowerthananythingelse!

“Formany timesyouhavedesiredofme toknowthatwhichwouldbeof themostworthuntoyou.Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and forspeaking my words which I have given unto youaccordingtomycommandments.Andnow,behold,I sayuntoyou, that thethingwhichwillbeof themostworthuntoyouwillbetodeclarerepentanceuntothispeople,thatyoumaybringsoulsuntome,thatyoumayrestwiththeminthekingdomofmyFather.Amen.”D&C16:4-6“Remembertheworthofsoulsisgreatinthesightof God; For, behold, the Lordyour Redeemer suffered death in the flesh;whereforehesufferedthepainofallmen,thatallmen might repent and come unto him. And hehathrisenagainfromthedead,thathemightbringallmenuntohim,onconditionsofrepentance.Andhow great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!Wherefore, youare called to cry repentanceuntothispeople.Andifitsobethatyoushouldlaborallyourdaysincryingrepentanceuntothispeople,andbring,saveitbeonesouluntome,howgreatshallbeyourjoywithhiminthekingdomofmyFather!

223Alma29:1-9

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Andnow,ifyourjoywillbegreatwithonesoulthatyouhavebroughtuntomeintothekingdomofmyFather,howgreatwillbeyourjoyifyoushouldbringmanysoulsuntome!”D&C19:10-16

JosephSmithandotherprophetswereshowntheimportanceandjoythatcamefromreceivingthegiftofPreaching.Itwasindeedagift,224notsomethingwhichwecouldtakeuponourselvesexceptcommandedoftheLord.

“Behold,Icommandyouthatyouneednotsupposethat youare called topreachuntil youare called.Wait a little longer,until you shall havemyword,myrock,mychurch,andmygospel, thatyoumayknow of a surety my doctrine. And then, behold,according to your desires, yea, even according toyourfaithshallitbedoneuntoyou.”D&C11:15-17“Andhowshalltheypreach,excepttheybesent?asitiswritten,howbeautifularethefeetofthemthatpreachthegospelofpeace,andbringgladtidingsofgoodthings!”Romans10:15“AnditcametopassthatnonereceivedauthoritytopreachortoteachexceptitwerebyhimfromGod.Therefore he consecrated all their priests and alltheir teachers;andnonewereconsecratedexcepttheywerejustmen.”Mosiah23:17

HowdoessomeonereceivethegiftofPreaching?“Therefore,ifyehavedesirestoserveGodyearecalledtothework.”D&C4:3AswithallgiftsoftheSpirit,itbeginswithourdesires,asweaskGodtoserveHim.AmanorwomanmaybecalledofGoddirectly,225or224Alma9:21,Ephesians3:7-8,1Peter4:10225Jonah3:1-4

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oneoftheLord’sanointedmayordainthem226tobeateacherorpriestuntothepeople:

“Themannerwhichthedisciples,whowerecalledthe elders of the church, ordained priests andteachers—AftertheyhadprayeduntotheFatherinthenameofChrist,theylaidtheirhandsuponthem,andsaid:InthenameofJesusChristIordainyoutobeapriest(orifhebeateacher,Iordainyoutobea teacher) to preach repentance and remissionofsinsthroughJesusChrist,bytheenduranceoffaithonhisnametotheend.Amen.’“Andafterthismannerdidtheyordainpriestsandteachers,accordingtothegiftsandcallingsofGoduntomen;andtheyordainedthembythepoweroftheHolyGhost,whichwasinthem.”Moroni3:1-4

EventheLordHimselfwasordainedtopreachtoaspecificpeople.As He began His ministry the Lord read from Isaiah in thesynagogue:227

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because hehathanointedmetopreachthegospeltothepoor;he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,to preach deliverance to the captives, andrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatlibertythemthatarebruised, topreach theacceptableyearoftheLord.”Luke4:18-19

226Alma37:33-34227HeretheLordisreadingfromIsaiah61:1.Somearecommandedtopreachinallplaces;whichwasthecasewhentheGospelwassenttoallthegentiles.Acts5:42

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Those who are ordained with the gift of Preaching sometimeswonder, “what do I do next?” The Lord said, “Seek nottodeclaremyword,butfirstseektoobtainmyword,andthenshallyour tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall havemy Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God untotheconvincingofmen.”228AswithallgiftsoftheSpirit,youbeginwithadesiretoserve,thenyouarerequiredtoexercisefaithandefforttowardreceivinganddevelopingthegift.229

“Behold,Isendyououttoprove230theworld,andthelaborerisworthyofhishire.Andanymanthatshallgoandpreachthisgospelofthekingdom,andfailnottocontinuefaithfulinallthings,231shallnotbe weary in mind, neither darkened, neither inbody,limb,norjoint;andahairofhisheadshallnotfalltothegroundunnoticed.Andtheyshallnotgohungry,neitherathirst.”232D&C84:79-80

The Lordwill stand behindHis servants as they are faithful. ForthosewhohavedesirestopreachtheGospeltherearemanygreatjoysandblessingsinstoreforthem.Iservedasamissionaryinthechurch.Itwasdifficult,andmyheartachedasIstruggledtosharetheGospelwithmanypeople.It’snotuncommontoberejected;however,Inowwonderwhysomuchtimeisspentcoveringcertaintopics:tryingtoexplaintheWordofWisdom,tithing,thetemple,and other non-essential questions which prevented many from

228D&C11:21229D&C6:1-17230ThisisaninterestingpromisefromtheLord.Theword“prove”hastwomeanings.First,todemonstratetheexistenceofsomething;andsecond,toraisethedough,likewhenleavenpermeatesabatchofdough.230TheLordinfersthatthesmall,insignificantbeginningsofGod'skingdomwillgrowandtriumph.See:Matthew13:13,Luke13:20-21 231Faith:seekingtheLord’srevelationandactinguponit.232Thesearespiritualpromises,fortheyshallbeglorifiedintheFather’skingdom.

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conversion.233Recently, Iwonderedwhywedon’tsimplypreachtheDoctrine of Christ: repentance, baptism, and theGift of theHoly Ghost. These are what the Lord commanded us to preachwhenHe cameamong thepeopleof Bountiful.234 This hasbeenreferredtoastheGospelofRepentance.235

“And I command you that you preach naught butrepentance,236andshownotthesethingsuntotheworlduntilitiswisdominme.”(D&C19:21)“But thoughwe,oranangel fromheaven,preachanyothergospeluntoyouthanthatwhichwehavepreacheduntoyou,lethimbeaccursed.Aswesaidbefore, sosay Inowagain, Ifanymanpreachanyothergospeluntoyouthanthatyehavereceived,lethimbeaccursed.FordoInowpersuademen,orGod?ordoIseektopleasemen?forifIyetpleasedmen, I should not be the servant of Christ. ButI certify you, brethren, that the gospel whichwaspreachedofmeisnotafterman.ForIneitherreceived it of man, neither wastaughtit,butbytherevelationofJesusChrist.”(Galatians1:8-12)“Andthatrepentanceandremissionofsinsshouldbe preached in his name among all nations,

233Thesetopics,theiracceptanceandapplicationshouldnotberequirementsforbaptism.Thereisalonglistofthingsthatshouldbevoluntarytothoseafterbaptismasameanstohelpandbringadditionalblessings,butnotasapriceofadmissiontobaptism.2343Nephi11:13-40“TheDoctrineofChrist”235D&C13:1,D&C19:21,D&C84:26-27,236Repentanceisturningone’shearttoGod.Thefruitsofrepentancearebaptismfortheremissionofsins.ChangingourwickedwayscomesafteronerepentsanddesiresonlytopleaseGod.Toomanythinkthattorepentistobecomeperfectwithoutsin;thatisincorrect.

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beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses ofthesethings.”(Luke24:47-48)“AndnowIsayuntoyouthatthisistheorderafterwhichIamcalled,yea,topreachuntomybelovedbrethren, yea, andeveryone thatdwelleth in theland; yea, topreachuntoall,botholdandyoung,bothbondand free;yea, I sayuntoyoutheaged,andalsothemiddleaged,andtherisinggeneration;yea, to cry unto them that theymust repent andbebornagain.”(Alma5:49)

TheLordspecificallyinstructedthattheywereareonlytopreachHisGospel,237notthemysteries238orcommandmentsofmen.239

“For theycannotbearmeatnow,240butmilk theymustreceive;wherefore,theymustnotknowthesethings,lesttheyperish.”241(D&C19:22)“I have fed youwithmilk, andnotwithmeat: forhithertoyewerenotabletobearit,neitheryetnowareyeable.(1Corinthians3:2)

I sometimeswonder if themodern church has ever offered anymeat; perhaps only scriptures pointing to where meat can befound.Manyof JosephSmith’s revelationspointed tomeat.Thetempleceremoniespoint to themeat.But themeatcanonlybetrulyfoundbyexperiencingthegiftsoftheSpirit.Allthosewhoare2371Nephi13:34-36238Matthew13:11,Mark4:11,Luke8:10,1Nephi10:19,Jacob4:8,Mosiah2:9,Alma12:9,D&C63:23,D&C76:5-7,D&C107:18-19239D&C46:7,Matthew15:8-9,Mark7:6-8240This“meat”spokenofarethemysteriesofGod.SuchmysteriescanonlybeunderstoodintheirfullnessbyexperiencingthegiftsoftheSpirit;particularlythatwhichrequiresascension.241Jacob5:48

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readingthisnowareseekingthemeat,whichistosayexperiencingthedeepermysteriesofthekingdom.Suchtopicsarenotanythingweshouldavoidorshun;theyarebeautifulandtheLordwishesusto learnandunderstandthemasquicklyaspossible.Thereasontheyarediscouragedfornewconvertsisthatwecannotrunfasterthanwehavestrength.242Aswematureinspiritualthingsmoreisgiven,untilwearestandingwithGodinHisThroneofeverlastingburnings.Howcanthateverhappenifwearenotgiventhemeat?AsyoureceivethegiftsoftheSpirityouwillhaveallthemeatyoucaneat,andyouwillbefull.243ThereisatremendousamountofjoythatcomesfrompreachingtheGospel to people, especiallywhen you see the fruit of yourlabors.

“Yea, and that sameGoddidestablishhis churchamong them; yea, and that sameGodhath calledmebyaholycalling,topreachtheworduntothispeople, and hath given me much success, in thewhichmyjoyisfull.”Alma29:13

InmyexperienceswiththeLordIhavebeenblessedtoseethelivesofmanyprophets.ManyhadascendedtotheThroneandgiventheopportunity toaskand learnwhatever theywished.TheApostlePaulwasoneofthegreatestmissionariesoftheLord.244Hedesiredthe gift of preaching more than any other and reveled in hisafflictionandsacrifice.Wheremanysufferthroughthechallengeof preaching to a stiff-necked generation, Paul dove in with anunprecedentedzeal.WhenIfirstaskedtheLordaboutPaulhisfirstwordstometouchedmyheart.Hesaid,“MyservantPaul,I lovehim.”

242Mosiah4:27243Alma12:10,3Nephi12:4244AWitnessoftheTemporalDispensations,Anonymous,pg.181-185

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Everypersonwhowillbeaservantof theLord,oraGatherer intheselastdayswillbegivenafullnessoftheGiftofPreaching,thatwill prepare them to go and find the Elect before the secondcoming of Christ.245 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall bepreachedinalltheworld246forawitnessuntoallnations;andthenshalltheendcome.”247

14)GiftofTranslationTheword“translation”comesfromtheGreektransliterationoftheword “metatithemi” in the New Testament; which means tochange,transfer,orremovetoaplace. Therearetwokindsofgiftsof translationthatcanbegiventoaservantoftheLord.First,theabilitytochangethelanguageofonerecordintotheknownlanguageofanother.248Thesecond,istobechangedfromamortaltoanimmortalbody.249The gift of record translation has occurred in scripture, to ourwritten knowledge on three occasions. First, when KingMosiahtranslatedthePlatesofZeniff,whichcontainedtherecordofthe

245 Moses7:18-19“AndtheLordcalledhispeopleZion,becausetheywereofoneheartandonemind,anddweltinrighteousness;andtherewasnopooramongthem.AndEnochcontinuedhispreachinginrighteousnessuntothepeopleofGod.Anditcametopassinhisdays,thathebuiltacitythatwascalledtheCityofHoliness,evenZion.”[BeforeZioncanbeestablished,thepeopleofGodmustreceivetheLord’spreachinginrighteousness.]246JosephSmith-Matthew1:31“Andagain,thisGospeloftheKingdomshallbepreachedinalltheworld,forawitnessuntoallnations,andthenshalltheendcome,orthedestructionofthewicked;”247Matthew24:14248Alma9:21,Ether5:1,Thisgiftisrequiredwhennounderstandingofthelanguageisavailabletointerpret.249Ether15:34

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Jaredites;250 Second, when Joseph Smith translated the Book ofMormonfromtheabridgedlanguageofMormon.251Third,whenJosephSmithtranslatedtheBookofAbrahamfromtheEgyptianpapyri.252 Inthefuture,therewillbeotherrecordshiddenintheHillShim,whichwillbealsotranslated.UsuallytheLordprovidesthe two stones, the Urim and Thummim, to help with thisprocess.253Joseph Smith has truly been the translator of this sixthdispensation.254 During the time hewas translating the Book ofMormontheLordwasfirmthatJosephwastoonlyfocusonwhatHewasordainedtodo.

“Andyouhaveagifttotranslatetheplates;andthisisthefirstgiftthatIbestoweduponyou;andIhavecommanded that you should pretend to no othergift255untilmypurpose is fulfilled inthis; for Iwillgrantuntoyounoothergiftuntilitisfinished.”(D&C5:4)

Translatingrecordsismuchlikethegiftoftongues.ItisrelegatedbytheSpiritoftheLord,butinthiscase,forthepurposeofdirectlytranslating the written word. Often the words are translatedaccordingtothevocabularyoftheonepossessingthegift.JosephSmith said tome the followingwhen I asked him regarding thetranslationoftheBookofMormon:

250Mosiah28:13-17251D&C1:29,TestimonyoftheProphetJosephSmith252TheBookofAbraham,PearlofGreatPrice–Introduction,“AninspiredtranslationofthewritingsofAbraham.JosephSmithbeganthetranslationin1835afterobtainingsomeEgyptianpapyri.ThetranslationwaspublishedseriallyintheTimesandSeasonsbeginningMarch1,1842,atNauvoo,Illinois.”253Mosiah8:13,1Samuel28:6,D&C130:10254D&C21:1255Meaningnootherprojecttobeundertaken.

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“He said that it was a great experience translating the Book of Mormon. He didn’t use the Urim and Thummim much, it gave him a headache. The seer stone helped him to focus, but the Lord had him use the Urim and Thummim to prepare his mind leading up to when he started the translation. He said the words came easily to his mind just like we were talking now.256 He said sometimes the words he chose, based on his vocabulary, were a little misconstrued, but that when anyone reads the Book of Mormon led by the Spirit they would understand the true meaning by synonym or other way.”257

Joseph Smith’s scribe, Oliver Cowdery, desired the gift ofTranslationandwasgivencounselfromtheLordbyrevelation:

1Behold,Isayuntoyou,myson,thatbecauseyoudid not translate according to that which youdesiredofme,anddidcommenceagaintowriteformyservant,JosephSmith,Jun.,evensoIwouldthatye should continue until you have finished thisrecord,whichIhaveentrusteduntohim.2Andthen,behold,otherrecordshaveI,thatIwillgive unto you power that you may assisttotranslate.[Oliverwouldhavebeeninvolvedwithothertranslationsinthefuture.]

256EmmaSmithsaidregardingJoseph’stranslation:“Nomancouldhavedictatedthewritingofthemanuscriptsunlesshewasinspired;for,when[Iwas]actingashisscribe,[Joseph]woulddictatetomehourafterhour;andwhenreturningaftermeals,orafterinterruptions,hewouldatoncebeginwherehehadleftoff,withouteitherseeingthemanuscriptorhavinganyportionofitreadtohim.” EmmaSmith,interviewbyJosephSmithIII,Feb.1879,Saints’Herald(periodicalpublishedbytheReorganizedChurchofJesusChristofLatterDaySaints,nowcalledCommunityofChrist),Oct.1,1879,p.290.257AWitnessoftheTemporalDispensations,Anonymous,pg.206

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3Bepatient,myson,foritiswisdominme,anditisnot expedient that you should translate at thispresenttime.4Behold, theworkwhich you are called to do istowriteformyservantJoseph.[scribe]5 And, behold, it is because that you did notcontinue as you commenced,when you began totranslate,thatIhavetakenawaythisprivilegefromyou.[Thegiftoftranslationwastakenaway.]6Donotmurmur,myson,foritiswisdominmethatIhavedealtwithyouafterthismanner.7 Behold, you have not understood; you havesupposed that Iwouldgive ituntoyou,whenyoutook no thought save it was to ask me. [faithrequires us to seek revelation and act upon it.Joseph spent almost a year preparing himself,using the Urim and Thummim before hecommencedtranslating.258Onemustgrowintothegiftofrevelation;eventranslation]8But,behold,Isayuntoyou,thatyoumuststudyitoutinyourmind;[Theprocessfirstrequiresustothink, to ponder, to receive a clear vision of thewords.] thenyoumustaskme if itberight, [seekconfirmationfromtheLord]and if it is right Iwillcause that your bosom shall burn within you;259therefore, you shall feel that it is right. [The“burning bosom” description has cause muchconfusion among people seeking spiritualwitnesses. For most, it is a steady feeling ofconfidence; like clear thoughts that settle in themindlikethedewsfromHeaven.]

258D&C20:7-8259ForOliverCowdreyspecifically,hewouldfeelaburningsensationinhischest.

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9Butifitbenotrightyoushallhavenosuchfeelings,butyoushallhaveastuporofthought260thatshallcause you to forget the thing which is wrong;therefore, you cannot write that whichissacredsaveitbegivenyoufromme.10 Now, if you had known this you couldhave translated; nevertheless, it is not expedientthatyoushouldtranslatenow.11Behold,itwasexpedientwhenyoucommenced;butyoufeared,[Fearusuallyleadstoalackoffaith,whichwillpreventusfromreceivinganyspiritualgift.] and the time is past, and it is not expedientnow;12For,doyounotbeholdthatIhavegivenuntomyservant Joseph sufficient strength, whereby it ismadeup?[Thetimewasmadegood.]AndneitherofyouhaveIcondemned.13DothisthingwhichIhavecommandedyou,andyou shall prosper. Be faithful, and yield tonotemptation.14 Stand fast in the work wherewith Ihavecalledyou,andahairofyourheadshallnotbelost,andyoushallbeliftedupatthelastday.Amen.(D&C9)

It is good to know that the Lord is merciful in our weaknesses. When opportunities are missed, often new ones will arise. Joseph was far from perfect and upon losing the original manuscript he feared the Lord would abandon him.

“Now, behold, I say unto you, that becauseyou delivered up those writings which you hadpowergivenuntoyoutotranslatebythemeansof

260A“stupor”istheoppositeofaclearnessofthought,whichisasignthatitisfromGod.Thisoftencauseonetolosefocusandforthemindtodrift.

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theUrimandThummim,intothehandsofawickedman,youhavelostthem.261Andyoualsolostyourgift at the same time, andyour mind became darkened. Nevertheless, it isnowrestoreduntoyouagain;thereforeseethatyouarefaithfulandcontinueonuntothefinishingoftheremainder of thework of translation as you havebegun. Do not run faster or labormore than youhavestrengthandmeansprovidedtoenableyoutotranslate;butbediligentuntotheend.”D&C10

TheLordansweredmorequestionsformeregardingtheprocessoftranslatingrecords:

HowwastheBookofAbrahamtranslated?“TheLordsaidthatJosephcouldnotreadEgyptianwell.HetranslateditsimilartohowhedidtheBookofMormon. The record was laid near him as thepoweroftranslationrevealedtohimthewords.Henever looked at the Egyptian writing as hetranslated. He made some notes regarding theEgyptian Facsimiles, but these were attempts tointerpretthepicturesusinghis languageskills,nottheactualtranslations.’WouldJosephhavetranslatedaBookofJoseph?

261 “I asked about the Lehi manuscript, the 116 pages that were taken by Martin Harris and lost. The Lord said the would have added about 35 pages to the Book of Mormon. They included the items the Lord revealed to me at another visit. He said that Martin’s wife knew where he had placed them and made arrangements for wicked men to come into her home and take them. She denied any involvement to her husband, although she knew full well what happened. It was a plan of the Adversary. Today, the documents are hidden up in a box somewhere out East. When the translating begins, these plates will be retranslated and the record will be restored. At that point, it will not matter if the original manuscript is revealed.” (Personal Journal)

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“No.MuchofthehistoryoftheOldTestamentthatisattributedfromMosescamethroughtheBookofJoseph.Notalloftherecordssurvived,butmuchisthere. The story of Job was also handed downthroughJoseph.”262

Inthenearfuture,aselectnumberoftheLord’sservantswillbecalled of the Lord to bear the gift of translation to undergo thegreat task of translating themany records deposited in the HillShim,wherealsoislaidtheUrimandThummimtoday.263TheseareallmajorblessingsandgiftsthattheLordbestowsuponHisservantsforthepurposeofbuildingtheKingdom;butthisgifthasapersonalapplicationinalesserform.ThegiftofTranslationis helpful when studying scripture. For instance, many havestruggledwith Isaiah.Using this gift, asking the Lord in faith forpermissiontounderstandtheintentofthewords,canleadtoyourpersonalspiritualtranslationofthesebooks.PutawayyourstudymanualsandleanupontheLordforrevelation.Thisgift,usedforpersonal use is appropriate when the Lord has given expresspermissionandnotforthepurposeofsimplysharingyouropinions.Inthiscase,itwouldbetakingtheLord’snameinvain.AswithallgiftsoftheSpiritwemustseekpermissionfromtheLord.TheUrimandThummimwereparticularlypreparedbytheLordforthetranslatingofsacredscripture.EachofuscanalsoprepareourmindstotranslatebyreceivingaseerstoneifitistheLord’swill.264TheLord’sgiftsandblessingsareastonishing.265262AWitnessoftheTemporalDispensations,Anonymous,pg.214263AWitnessoftheTemporalDispensations,Anonymous,pg.84264Gotothefollowinglink:https://purerevelations.wordpress.com/2014/12/20/do-you-have-a-seer-stone/265Thereisanadversarialcounterparttoseerstones.AswithallgiftsofthespiritstheycanbeusedbythosewhoseekpowerthroughSatan.Thisiswhere

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_____________________________________A far greater number of the Lord’s servants will be “called andchosen”266toparticipateinthesecondkindoftranslation.Thisgiftisone that the Lordbestowsupon thosewhosebodiesmustbechanged.PeterinquiredofJesusregardingJohn’smission,267whichwouldhavehimcontinueupontheearth:

“Isayuntothee,Peter,thiswasagooddesire;butmybelovedhasdesiredthathemightdomore,oragreater work yet among men than what he hasbefore done. Yea, he has undertaken a greaterwork;thereforeIwillmakehimasflamingfireandaministeringangel;heshallministerforthosewhoshallbeheirsofsalvationwhodwellontheearth.”(D&C7:5-6)

“I asked Johnwhat happened.Whywas he translated? I saw invisionandashespokeIsawtheprocess.HewastakenawayinthespirittoseetheFatherandMother.Firsthisbodywastouchedandascended.Hewas literally changedwith fire.His flesh isnot thesame,asitisatabernacleclothedinfireandeverlastingburnings.Hisbodilyageandwaswhere itwaswhenhewaschanged.Thisallowshimtomoreeasilymingleamongmen.Hecandowhata

someofthenegativestereotypesofusingcrystalballsandotherseeingdevicestogainknowledge.BecarefulyoualwaysseekthesegiftsthroughtheLordandnootherspirit.266“Iftheyarefourthestate,theyhavebeen“calledandchosen”tocondescendamongmentosavesouls.TheCallingandElectionoccursastheyareabouttobeawakenedtotheirmortalministry.”(PersonalJournal)Goto:HowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.267D&C7:1-4

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resurrectedmancando,butmoreeasilyserveamongtheliving.Heisabeingoflightthatcanwalkamongtheliving.”268Other people, since the first dispensation of the world, have experienced the gift of translation of their bodies. Enoch and his people,269 which were of the City of Holiness, were all taken to heaven.270 Also, those of the City of Peace, or Salem, were taken up.271 This is the city that was led to righteousness under the great High Priest Melchizedek.272 Elijah was translated273 when he

268Frommypersonaljournal.269“Ittookmanyhundredsofyears,butunderthedirectionofEnochtheyweretakentotheLordintheTerrestrialrealmofGlory;translatedbecauseoftheirpurity.”(PersonalJournal)270 Moses 7:19-21, Hebrews 11:5271Psalm76:2272JST,Genesis14:30-36“ForGodhavingswornuntoEnochanduntohisseedwithanoathbyhimself;thateveryonebeingordainedafterthisorderandcallingshouldhavepower,byfaith,tobreakmountains,todividetheseas,todryupwaters,toturnthemoutoftheircourse;31Toputatdefiancethearmiesofnations,todividetheearth,tobreakeveryband,tostandinthepresenceofGod;todoallthingsaccordingtohiswill,accordingtohiscommand,subdueprincipalitiesandpowers;andthisbythewilloftheSonofGodwhichwasfrombeforethefoundationoftheworld.32Andmenhavingthisfaith,comingupuntothisorderofGod,weretranslatedandtakenupintoheaven.33Andnow,Melchizedekwasapriestofthisorder;thereforeheobtainedpeaceinSalem,andwascalledthePrinceofpeace.34Andhispeoplewroughtrighteousness,andobtainedheaven,andsoughtforthecityofEnochwhichGodhadbeforetaken,separatingitfromtheearth,havingreservedituntothelatterdays,ortheendoftheworld;35Andhathsaid,andswornwithanoath,thattheheavensandtheearthshouldcometogether;andthesonsofGodshouldbetriedsoasbyfire.36AndthisMelchizedek,havingthusestablishedrighteousness,wascalledthekingofheavenbyhispeople,or,inotherwords,theKingofpeace.”Also, Alma13:14-19,D&C76:57,D&C84:14273“Elijahwalksoutintothecenteroftheriver.Atthatmoment,astrongwinddescendsuponthegroupandElisha’sspiritualeyesareopened.Aportaloflightopensupandachariot,similartotheoneinmypreviousvisit,descends.ThereareangelsaccompanyingElijahandasoundofrushingwatersisheardas

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ascended into heaven in the chariot of fire.274 The three Nephite apostles,275 and Moroni was also translated.276 One of themost detailed accounts of the process of the gift oftranslationisdescribedin3Nephi28:

1And it came to passwhen Jesus had said thesewords, he spake unto his disciples, one by one,sayinguntothem:What is it thatyedesireofme,afterthatIamgonetotheFather?[AquestiontheLordalwaysasksHisanointed.]2Andtheyallspake,saveitwerethree,saying:Wedesirethatafterwehaveliveduntotheageofman,thatourministry,whereinthouhastcalledus,mayhaveanend,thatwemayspeedilycomeuntotheeinthykingdom.3Andhesaiduntothem:Blessedareyebecauseyedesired this thing of me; therefore, after that yeareseventyand twoyearsoldyeshall comeuntomeinmykingdom;andwithmeyeshallfindrest.4Andwhenhehadspokenunto them,he turnedhimselfuntothethree,andsaiduntothem:Whatwillyethat Ishoulddountoyou,whenIamgoneuntotheFather?5Andtheysorrowedintheirhearts,fortheydurstnotspeakuntohimthethingwhichtheydesired.[In

Elijahistakenupwithfireandlight.Heistranslated.Noteveryoneseesthis,asmostseeonlylight,andwind.”(PersonalJournal)2742Kings2:11,2753Nephi28276“MoroniwastranslatedandbroughttheplatesandsacredrelicstotheHillCummorahnearPalmyra,NYbymeansoftranslatedtravel.”(PersonalJournal)Theword“cummorah”meansto“sealup.”TherearemorethanoneHillCummorah.

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fact, it was by revelation that the Spirit put thethoughtintheirhearts.277]6 And he said unto them: Behold, I know yourthoughts,andyehavedesiredthethingwhichJohn,my beloved, who was with me in my ministry,beforethat Iwas liftedupbythe Jews,desiredofme.7Therefore,moreblessed [more spiritualpower]areye, foryeshallnever tasteofdeath;278butyeshalllivetobeholdallthedoingsoftheFatheruntothe children ofmen, even until all things shall befulfilledaccordingtothewilloftheFather,whenIshallcomeinmyglorywiththepowersofheaven.8Andyeshallneverendurethepainsofdeath;[nopainassociatedwithatranslatedbody]butwhenIshall come inmyglory ye shall be changed in thetwinklingofaneye frommortality to immortality;[fromtranslationtoresurrectedbodyofglory]andthen shall ye be blessed in the kingdom of myFather.9Andagain, ye shall not havepainwhile ye shalldwell in the flesh, neither sorrow save it be forthesinsoftheworld;andallthiswillIdobecauseofthethingwhichyehavedesiredofme,foryehavedesiredthatyemightbringthesoulsofmenuntome,whiletheworldshallstand.[Thisisthedesirethatbringstranslation,ifitiswhatyouhavebeenforeordainedtodo.]10Andforthiscauseyeshallhavefulnessofjoy;andyeshallsitdowninthekingdomofmyFather;yea,

277Ether12:17278 “He said all who are translated receive the fullness of the sealing power. It is a type of resurrection. We have the capacity to be marred if we choose. The three Nephites were both given sealing power and translated in the flesh, whereas the others only had the sealing power and died at the age of 72.” (Personal Journal)

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yourjoyshallbefull,evenastheFatherhathgivenmefulnessofjoy;andyeshallbeevenasIam,andI am even as the Father; and the Father and Iareone;[FullnessoftheSealingPower]11AndtheHolyGhostbearethrecordoftheFatherandme;andtheFathergiveththeHolyGhostuntothechildrenofmen,becauseofme.12AnditcametopassthatwhenJesushadspokenthesewords,hetouchedeveryoneofthemwithhisfingersaveitwerethethreewhoweretotarry,andthen he departed. [The sealing power requires atouching ordinance of the Lord to our physicalbodies.Thethreeapostlesweretouchedlateraftertheirascension.279]13Andbehold,theheavenswereopened,andtheywere caught up into heaven, and saw and heardunspeakablethings.280[WeretakentotheThroneofGod.]14 And it was forbidden them that they shouldutter; neither was it given unto them power thatthey could utter the things which they saw andheard;[Manymysteriesrevealed]15Andwhethertheywereinthebodyoroutofthebody,theycouldnottell;foritdidseemuntothemlike a transfiguration of them, that they werechanged from this body of flesh into an immortalstate,thattheycouldbeholdthethingsofGod.[A

279“Whentouchedinthefleshbyordinanceitwillbeactivated.Itwilltakeafewweekstobefullyrealizedordevelopedandthisiswhenthosewillbefastingasawayofcleansingthemselves.Hesaidallwhoaretranslatedreceivethefullnessofthesealingpower.Itisatypeofresurrection.”(frompersonalJournal)280“TheThreeNephitesweretranslatedandtakenuptoHeavenbothphysicallyandspiritually.Theirbodieswerechanged.TheyweremetbytheFatherandMotherandspenttimewithElijahwheretheyweretrainedinhowtobeServantswhiletranslated.(PersonalJournal)

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spiritual ascension. Hyper-real, yet out of thephysicalbody.ThisisthemostpreferredformofaSecondComforterexperience.]28116Butitcametopassthattheydidagainministerupon the face of the earth; nevertheless they didnotministerofthethingswhichtheyhadheardandseen, because of the commandment which wasgiventheminheaven.[CommandedtoonlyteachthedoctrineofChrist.]28217Andnow,whethertheyweremortalorimmortal,fromthedayoftheirtransfiguration,Iknownot;283[They went through a process of cleansing thatwithinashorttimewereimmortal.]18But thismuch I know, according to the recordwhichhathbeengiven—theydidgoforthupontheface of the land, and did minister unto all thepeople, uniting as many to the church as wouldbelieve in their preaching; baptizing them, and asmanyaswerebaptizeddidreceivetheHolyGhost.

281Gotothislinktolearnmore:https://purerevelations.wordpress.com/the-second-comforter/282IamalsocommandednottoteachanythingotherthantheDoctrineofChrist,excepttothosewhoareledtolearnhowtopreparetobeaServant.283 “Nephi said that when they were first translated they noticed more. There perceptions of those around them were heightened. They could perceive thoughts. They could see the light from others. He said that their need for sleep and food was diminished. They only slept a few hours if any and it was more like a nap. (They kind of acted like that was one of the great parts.) Nephi said that they were advised to fast often, that it would help them to more fully change their bodies. They fasted for forty days after being translated. They allowed evil people to bury them or try and harm them, and then they could come forth unharmed and bear testimony of God’s truth and baptize. I can’t remember everything that was said. They seemed very excited for what was coming.” (Personal Journal)

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19Andtheywerecastintoprisonbythemwhodidnotbelongtothechurch.Andtheprisonscouldnotholdthem,fortheywererentintwain.20Andtheywerecastdownintotheearth;buttheydidsmitetheearthwiththewordofGod,insomuchthat by his power theywere delivered out of thedepthsof theearth;and therefore theycouldnotdigpitssufficienttoholdthem.21 And thrice they were cast into a furnace andreceivednoharm.22 And twice were they cast into a den of wildbeasts;andbeholdtheydidplaywiththebeastsasachildwithasucklinglamb,andreceivednoharm.23Anditcametopassthatthustheydidgoforthamong all the people of Nephi, and did preachthegospelofChristuntoallpeopleuponthefaceofthe land;and theywere convertedunto the Lord,andwereuniteduntothechurchofChrist,andthusthe people of that generation were blessed,accordingtothewordofJesus.24Andnow I,Mormon,makeanendof speakingconcerningthesethingsforatime.25Behold,Iwasabouttowritethenamesofthosewho were never to taste of death, but the Lordforbade;thereforeIwritethemnot,fortheyarehidfromtheworld.26 But behold, I have seen them, and they haveministereduntome.27AndbeholdtheywillbeamongtheGentiles,andtheGentilesshallknowthemnot.28TheywillalsobeamongtheJews,andtheJewsshallknowthemnot.29Anditshallcometopass,whentheLordseethfitin his wisdom that they shall minister unto allthescatteredtribesof Israel,anduntoallnations,

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kindreds,tonguesandpeople,andshallbringoutofthemuntoJesusmanysouls,thattheirdesiremaybe fulfilled, and also because of the convincingpowerofGodwhichisinthem.30And theyareas theangelsofGod,and if theyshallprayuntotheFatherinthenameofJesustheycan show themselves unto whatsoever man itseemeththemgood.31Therefore, great andmarvelousworks shall bewroughtbythem,beforethegreatandcomingdaywhen all people must surely stand before thejudgment-seatofChrist;32 Yea even among the Gentiles shall there bea great and marvelous work wrought by them,beforethatjudgmentday.33And if ye had all the scriptures which give anaccount of all the marvelous works of Christ, yewould,accordingtothewordsofChrist,knowthatthesethingsmustsurelycome.34AndwobeuntohimthatwillnothearkenuntothewordsofJesus,andalsotothemwhomhehathchosen and sent among them; forwhoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and thewords of thosewhom he hath sent receiveth nothim;andthereforehewillnotreceivethematthelastday;35Anditwouldbebetterforthemiftheyhadnotbeenborn.Fordoyesupposethatyecangetridofthe justice of an offended God, who hathbeen trampled under feet of men, that therebysalvationmightcome?36 And now behold, as I spake concerning thosewhomtheLordhathchosen,yea,eventhreewhowerecaughtup into theheavens, that I knewnot

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whether they were cleansed from mortality toimmortality—37Butbehold,sinceIwrote,IhaveinquiredoftheLord, andhehathmade itmanifest untome thattheremustneedsbeachangewroughtupontheirbodies,orelse itneedsbethattheymusttasteofdeath;28438 Therefore, that they might not taste of deaththerewasachangewroughtupontheirbodies,thattheymightnotsufferpainnorsorrowsaveitwereforthesinsoftheworld.39Now this change was not equal to that whichshall take place at the last day; but there was achangewrought upon them, insomuch that Satancould have no power over them, that he couldnot tempt them; and they were sanctified in theflesh,thattheywereholy,andthatthepowersoftheearthcouldnotholdthem.40And in thisstate theyweretoremainuntil thejudgmentdayofChrist;andatthatdaytheyweretoreceiveagreaterchange,andtobereceivedintothekingdomof the Father to go nomore out, but todwellwithGodeternallyintheheavens.285

The Gift of Translation, for a select few, is a precursor to a fullresurrectionofthespiritbody.Thesebeingsarenotsubjecttothephysics of our world. They can move through walls, travel vast

284“TheLordsaidthatwhentranslatedwewilllookournormalselves,buthavetheabilitytodomorewithatranslatedbody.MoretimewillbespentpreparingthemtoreturntoZion.”(PersonalJournal)285“Thesamethingoccurswithtranslatedbeings,buttheirbodykeepstheblueprintoftheirage,whichishelpfultoconcealtheirglorifiednatureandallowsthemtomoreeasilywalkamonglowerbeings.TheLordsaidthatasoneascendsinglory,thelesstheywalkamonglowerbeings.(Edit)Itisatypeofresurrection.Wehavethecapacitytobemarrediftheychoose.”(PersonalJournal)

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distances according to their faith, and allow their bodies to bemarredwithoutpain,andthenrestorethem.Theywieldthefullsealing power of the Lord and are as the angels of God. Theadvantage of being translated is that they can mingle amongmortalsandappearintheirmortalstate.Itseemsimpossibleandfantastic, but it is true. I have seen them. These books I havewrittenareforthosewhowillawakeandarise;286bothtoreceivetheGiftoftheHolyGhost,andtopreparetogatherIsrael.Thosewho will gather will all receive the gift of Translation while inmortality.15)WorkingofMiraclesTheLorddelightsinblessinguswithmiraclesaccordingtoourfaith.I have had the opportunity to witness many miracles. I don’tunderstandthesciencebehindmuchofit,287butIknowtheLord’spowerwasmanifest.Ihaveseenthecreationofworlds,theraisingofthedead,thetamingoflions,theabilitytowalkonwaterandpassthroughthefieryfurnace;andsomuchmore;butthegreatestmiracle of all was that the Father sent His Only Begotten toovercomedeathandatoneforus, thatwecouldberaisedup inimmortalglory.Howblessedweare!Miraclesareplentiful forthosewhoestablisharelationshipwiththeLord.SeekHimwithallyourheartandyouwillbeawitnesstothiswonderfulgift.MostoftheLord’sgiftsarespecifictoatypeofspiritualapplication;whereas,thegiftoftheWorkingofMiracles288areendlessintheirpossibilities.289

286“AWitnessoftheEndofTimes,”Anonymous,pg.26-39287Idounderstandtheprinciplesbywhichmiraclesoccur,butnotthelanguageofscience.2881Corinthians12:10,D&C46:21289Matthew19:26,Mark9:23,Mark10:27,Luke18:27

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Haveyouwitnessedamiraclebefore?Iwoulddefinea“miracle”asanyactionoreventwhichwecannotexplain,createdbythepowerofGodaccordingtoourfaith.JosephSmithsaid,“Miraclesarethefruitsoffaith.”290Wecannotexpecttowitnessamiracleuntilwehavedoneourpart.291

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhatconcerning these things; I would show unto theworld that faith is things which are hoped forand not seen; wherefore, dispute not because yesee not, for ye receive no witness until afterthetrialofyourfaith.(Ether12:6)

Theworldofmodernscienceattempts to testand theorizehownatureandtheunseenworldoperates;toexplainwhatthefaithbelievercallsamiracle.ButtothosewhoseeyesareclosedtotheSpirit,miraclesareofnovalue.292JosephSmithsaidthefollowing:

“TheLordcannotalwaysbeknownbythethunderof His voice, by the display of His glory or by themanifestationofHispower;andthosethatarethemost anxious to see these things, are the leastprepared to meet them, and were the Lord tomanifest His power as He did to the children ofIsrael,suchcharacterswouldbethefirsttosay,‘LetnottheLordspeakanymore,lestweHispeopledie.’[SeeExodus20:19]”293

290JosephSmith,April13,1843,Source:JosephSmithDiarybyWillardRichardsTheWordsofJosephSmith:Page191291Ether12:12,312923Nephi19:35293HistoryoftheChurch,5:26–31;bracketedwordsinsecondparagraphinoriginal;punctuationandgrammarmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;from“GiftoftheHolyGhost,”aneditorialpublishedinTimesandSeasons,June15,1842,pp.823–25;JosephSmithwastheeditoroftheperiodical.

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Withoutfaith,itisimpossibletopleaseGod.294Wearelefttoourdevices,andpeoplewonderwhyGoddoesn’t intervenemore intheirlives.ThefalsetraditionthatdeclaringyourbeliefinJesusisenough will surely damn you.295Wemust seek after Him in allholinessofheart.

“Andthathemanifestethhimselfuntoallthosewhobelieveinhim,bythepoweroftheHolyGhost;yea,unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people,working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders,amongthechildrenofmenaccordingtotheirfaith.”(2Nephi26:13)“Forbehold,IamGod;andIamaGodofmiracles;andIwillshowuntotheworldthatIamthesameyesterday,today,andforever;andIworknotamongthe children of men save it be according to theirfaith.”(2Nephi27:23)

Ihavewrittenextensivelyaboutthedefinitionoffaith–“toseekrevelationandthentoactuponit.”TheapostleStephenhadgreatfaithamongthoseheserved:“AndStephen,fulloffaithandpower,didgreatwondersandmiraclesamongthepeople.”296TheprophetMoroni also wrote about many examples of great faith thatbroughtforthmiracles:297

“Behold,itwasthefaithofAmmonandhisbrethrenwhich wrought so great a miracle among theLamanites. Yea, and even all theywhowroughtmiracleswroughtthembyfaith,even

294Hebrews11:62952Peter2:1,D&C58:28-29,D&C63:11,James2:14-26296Acts6:8297Ether12:6-41,

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thosewhowerebeforeChristandalso thosewhowere after. And it was by faith that the threedisciples obtained a promise that theyshouldnottasteofdeath;andtheyobtainednotthepromise until after their faith. And neither at anytime hath any wrought miracles until after theirfaith; wherefore they first believed in the Son ofGod.”Ether12:15-18“AndChristhathsaid:Ifyewillhavefaithinmeyeshall have power to do whatsoever thingisexpedientinme.”Moroni7:33“Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faiththat miracles are wrought; and it is by faith thatangelsappearandministeruntomen;wherefore,ifthesethingshaveceasedwobeuntothechildrenofmen, for it isbecauseofunbelief,andall is vain.”Moroni7:37

IdonotknowofanyscripturethatlimitswhataservantoftheLordcannotdointhenameoftheLordiftheyexercisefaithinHIm.298Remember,faithismorethanbelieving,butactuallyreceivingtheLord’swill.299Thismayoftenleaveroomforcreativesolutions,astheLorddoesn’talways tellusall thingswhichweshoulddo.300Those who are afraid to seek revelation and step outside theircomfortofexpectations301willrarelyexperiencesuchthings.TheApostlePaulsaid,“HethereforethatministerethtoyoutheSpirit,andworkethmiraclesamongyou,doethheitbytheworksofthe2984Nephi1:5“TheLordtoldmethatifIdidnotdoubtandwasfilledwiththeSpiritofrevelation,Icouldhealandperformmiracles.Thesealingpowersimplyamplifiesthatability.”(PersonalJournal)299Hebrews2:4300D&C58:26-27301Thesacredimaginationisthefertilesoilforallfaith,aswelearntoseefirst,andthentocreate.

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law,orbythehearingoffaith?”302EvenatthetimeofPaultherewere Christians afraid to exercise the gifts of the Spirit becausetheycouldnotfindascripturaljustificationthatsuitedthem.ThekeyistotrustintheLordandseekHiswordbyrevelation.ThisisparticularlycriticalforthosewhowouldbeHisservants.ItisinterestingtoreadtheaccountofhowthefamilyofLehiusedthe divine compass in their journey to the promised land. EightyearsoftravelinginthewildernesstaughtthemhowtoleanupontheLordforanswersintimesoftrouble.TheLordwasmercifulingivingthemtheLiahonatohelptheminthisprocess.303

“AnditdidworkforthemaccordingtotheirfaithinGod;therefore,iftheyhadfaithtobelievethatGodcould cause that those spindles should point thewaytheyshouldgo,behold,itwasdone;thereforetheyhadthismiracle,andalsomanyothermiracleswrought by the power of God, day by day.Nevertheless,becausethosemiracleswereworkedby smallmeans it did showunto themmarvelousworks. They were slothful, and forgot to exercisetheirfaithanddiligenceandthenthosemarvelousworks ceased, and they did not progress in theirjourney;”(Alma37:40-41)

TheLordlaidoutapatterntoperformingmiraclesforthosewhoare to preach the Gospel: “Require not miracles, except Ishallcommandyou,exceptcastingoutdevils,healingthesick,and302Galatians3:5303“IaskedabouttheLiahonathatwasgiventoLehiwhenhewasinthewilderness.Itsaidthatitwasleftatthedoorofthetent.TheLordsaiditwaslefttherebyatranslatedangel.Theballwaslikeastrangetoy.Ithadtwospindleswhichwouldmove.Onepointedtolettersaroundthecircumference,whichwouldspelloutwords,andtheotherspindlewouldpointthedirectiontheyshouldtravel.Itwasabrownbrasscolorandancientinitsdesign.”(PersonalJournal)

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againstpoisonousserpents,andagainstdeadlypoisons;”304Ifwereplacetheword“except”withthewords“exceptfirst…’thereisaclearerunderstandingofthisinstructionfromtheLord.Beforeanymiracleisperformed,theservantoftheLordmustdofourthings.Theymust first,seekpermissionoftheLord.305Second,Castoutanydevils[evilspirits].Third,besurethoseparticipatingarehealedifphysicallysufferingfromillnessorpoison.Thereiswisdominthiscouncel,aswemakethespaceholybeforetheLord.In the following verse the Lordmakes another important point:“Andthesethingsyeshallnotdo,exceptitberequiredofyoubythemwhodesire it, that the scripturesmightbe fulfilled; for yeshalldoaccordingtothatwhichiswritten.”306Here,wearetoldtoperformthemiracleattherequestofthosewhoareafflicted.TheLord’sservantsarenottosimplypassaroundmiracles.Itrequiresthefaithofthosepresenttoaskforthem. Oftenmiraclesareseeminglycausedbysimpleactswhichoriginatefrom small impressions. These thoughts are direct revelationsthroughtheHolyGhostthatareoftenunrecognizedbyus,buttheresultscanbemiraculous.Irememberacowboypoetwhooncerecitedthepoemofhowacowboywasroundingupcattlealongaravinewhenhishorsewasscaredbyarattlesnake.Thecowboywasbuckedoffhishorseandwentflyingoverthecliff.AshefellhecalledouttoGod,“Pleasesaveme!Iwillgiveupallmyevilwaysandbegoodfromhereon,justdon’tletmedie!”Suddenly,fromnowhere,hishandgrabbedholdofatreeroot,whichheusedtosavehimfromfallingandclimbouttosafety.Whenhereachedthetop,hepausedtopray,“NevermindLord,Itookcareofitmyself.”

304D&C24:13305D&C63:10306D&C24:14

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ThisismuchhowtheIsraelitesreactedafterbeingledoutofEgypt.Theywitnessedgreatmiracles,butwereslowtoremembertheirLord.

“And Moses called unto all Israel, and said untothem,YehaveseenallthattheLorddidbeforeyoureyesinthelandofEgyptuntoPharaoh,anduntoallhis servants, and unto all his land; Thegreattemptationswhichthineeyeshaveseen,thesigns, and thosegreatmiracles: Yet the Lordhathnotgivenyouanhearttoperceive,andeyestosee,and ears to hear, unto this day.” (Deuteronomy29:2-4)

ThegreatmiraclesofEgyptwereepicinscale,butmanyprofoundmiracles take place around us. Although they may be lessnoticeable,dowe,liketheEgyptians,choosetonotseethem307ortosimplyshrugourshouldersandcountitascoincidence.“Thencertain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,Master,wewouldseeasignfromthee.Butheansweredandsaidunto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh afterasign;”308TheLordwillnotprovidemiraclesifthepeoplebecomewicked.309

“But wickedness did prevail upon the face of thewhole land, insomuchthattheLorddidtakeawayhisbeloveddisciples,andtheworkofmiraclesandofhealingdidceasebecauseofthe iniquityofthepeople.”(Mormon1:13)

307Mark6:49-52,thedisciplesquicklyforgotthemiracleoftheloavesandwereafraidwhentheysawJesuswalkinguponthewater.308Matthew12:38-39,309Mormon1:13

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ItisasadtimewhenmiraclesareabsentamongthepeoplewhoclaimtobefollowersofChrist.TheApostlePaulwroteregardingfaithandmiracles:

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,the evidence of things not seen. [Recipe formiracles.]2Forbyittheeldersobtainedagoodreport.[goodresults]3 Through faith we understand that the worldswere framed by the word of God, so that thingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhichdoappear. [God’s word, by faith, made thingsappear.]4 By faith Abel offered unto God a moreexcellent sacrifice than Cain, [Received revelationandactedupon it.]bywhichheobtainedwitnessthat he was righteous, [Second Comforter] Godtestifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yetspeaketh.[EternalLife]5ByfaithEnochwastranslatedthatheshouldnotsee death; and was not found, because God hadtranslated him: for before his translation he hadthis testimony, [Witness of Jesus, SecondComforter]thathepleasedGod.6 But without faith it is impossible toplease him: [Unless we learn how to receiverevelationandactwewillnotsucceedinmiracles.]forhethatcomethtoGodmustbelievethatheis,and that he is a rewarder of themthatdiligentlyseekhim.7ByfaithNoah,beingwarnedofGodofthingsnotseenasyet,movedwithfear,[Anotherwordingforact in faith.]prepared an ark to the saving of his

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house;bythewhichhecondemnedtheworld,andbecameheiroftherighteousnesswhichisbyfaith.8ByfaithAbraham,whenhewascalledtogooutinto a place which he should after receive foran inheritance, obeyed; and he went out,notknowingwhitherhewent.[Notalwaysknowingtheoutcomeorhowthingswillgo.](Hebrews11)

TheProphetMoronigivesushisfinalwordsofwarningregardingmiracles:

“Andifthereweremiracleswroughtthen,whyhasGodceasedtobeaGodofmiraclesandyetbeanunchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto youhechangethnot;ifsohewouldceasetobeGod;andheceasethnottobeGod,andisaGodofmiracles.And the reason why he ceaseth todomiraclesamongthechildrenofmenisbecausethattheydwindleinunbelief,anddepartfromtheright way, and know not the God in whom theyshould trust. Behold, I say unto you that whosobelieveth in Christ, doubtingnothing,whatsoeverheshallasktheFather inthename of Christ it shall be granted him; andthispromiseisuntoall,evenuntotheendsoftheearth.”(Mormon9:19-21)

Miraclesareatwo-waystreet.Notonlymustthefaithofthepeoplebesufficient,buttheservantoftheLordmustbeworthytoo.

“And now it came to pass that according to ourrecord, and we know our record to be true, forbehold,itwasajustmanwhodidkeeptherecord—forhetrulydidmanymiraclesinthenameofJesus;andtherewasnotanymanwhocoulddoamiracle

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inthenameof Jesussavehewerecleansedeverywhitfromhisiniquity—(3Nephi8:1)

AccordingtotheNephites’record,theseservantsperformedmanymiracles. The caveat was they were cleansed of all iniquity.“Iniquity” is a word that means sinfulness, immorality, andimpropriety. This requirement to access great spiritual power isconsistent, becausemanyof the great gifts of the Spirit invite abaptismoffire,310astheLord’sglorysettlesuponyou,andtheonebeing blessed. This baptism of fire will immediately cleanse therecipientsofallsin,butcannotbereceivediftheheartisunclean.

“Icameuntomineown,andmineownreceivedmenot;butuntoasmanyasreceivedme[ThegiftsoftheSpirit]gaveIpowertodomanymiracles,andtobecomethesonsofGod;[theGiftoftheHolyGhost]andevenuntothemthatbelievedonmynamegaveIpowertoobtaineternallife.”(D&C45:8)

ChristcameamongHisownpeopleandperformedmanymiracles,yettheystilldidnotreceiveHim.ThefewwhodidweregiventheHoly Ghost, which gives us the power to obtain Eternal Life.311Miracleshaveapurpose;nottobeasignforthosewhohavenotfaith,butaresimplythefruitofourfaith.ThegreatestfruitwecanpartakeofisEternalLife.312

310The“baptismoffire”istheLord’sgloryenvelopingthespace.Itisacleansingpowerofholiness.Thismayandshouldoccurmanytimesduringaworthyperson’slife;however,whenaccompaniedbytheGiftoftheHolyGhostitisempoweringtoourspirits.311John3:3-15,ThereferencetobeingbornagainistoreceivetheGiftoftheHolyGhost.John6:54TheSacramentisthepromisetoreceivetheHolyGhostandEternalLife.2Nephi31:18312D&C14:7

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TheLordhaspromisedus that ifwehave faith inHim,doubtingnothing,313 anything we ask the Father in His name shall begranted.314Thisdoesnotmeantheanswerormiraclecomesthatmoment; faith, again, is seeking revelation and acting upon it.Sometimesthemiracleisliketheseedplantedwhichgrowsintoatreeandeventuallybearsfruit.But,sometimesthemiraclecomeslikeashaftoflightning,dependingontheLord’swillandsituation.WemustremembertotrustintheLordthatwemightreceivethegiftoftheWorkingofMiracles.

16)WordofKnowledgeWhenAdamandEvewalkedamongsttheangelsinthetempleofEdentheyweregivenspecificcommandments.One,wasthattheycould eat of all the trees, including the Tree of Life, but wereforbiddentoeatoftheTreeofKnowledgeofGoodandEvil.315Whywould God call it that?Whywas this particular tree forbidden?Whywouldtheydieiftheypartookofthisfruit?Inmyexperiences,theLordhasshownmethatthefruitwasthe“word of knowledge”316 of their former priesthood and glory,317which by transgression, was disclosed prematurely by thetemptation to Eve and then to Adam. Therewere indeedmany313Ether3:19314John14:12-14,John15:16,John16:23-26,3Nephi18:19-20,3Nephi27:28-29,Moroni7:26,D&C18:18,D&C88:64315Moses4:83161Corinthians12:8,Ephesians1:17,D&C46:18

317 “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they had been without higher knowledge. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons. (An emblem of their former priesthood powers.)” Translation of the Book of Moses, Moses 4:13, Anonymous, Accessible through Purerevelations.wordpress.com

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trees in theGarden,but the Lordwas speakingof theAngelsofGod; which were sent to teach them.318 Eden was a terrestrialearth,whichwasastartingpointforthecondescensionofAdamandEve.319Heretheyweregivenallkindsofknowledge;however,inGod’swisdomHehadnotdisclosedeverythinguntilitwastheirtimetogointotheworld.320IamsharingthisinformationandknowledgeregardingtheGardenof Eden because it reflects a pattern bywhich the Lord revealsknowledge to us. At every stage of our lives we are offeredknowledge,buttheLordiscarefulhowandwhensuchknowledgeisgiven.

“For there is a time appointed for every man,accordingashisworksshallbe.Godshallgiveuntoyou knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by theunspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has notbeenrevealedsincetheworldwasuntilnow;”(D&C121:25-26)

318 “And out of the mortal experience made I, the Lord God, to grow every great kind of knowledge naturally, (Learning line upon line) that is pleasant to the sight of my children; and they could behold their glory and knowledge. And these exalted beings were resurrected and had been exalted, for they were spiritual in the day that I created them; for they remaineth in the degree of glory in which I, God, created them, yea, even all things which I prepared for the benefit of my children; and they saw that it was good for learning. And I, the Lord God, placed Jesus Christ also in the midst of the temple and also the forbidden knowledge offered by Satan.” Spiritual Translation of the Book of Moses, Moses 3:9, Anonymous, Accessible through Purerevelations.wordpress.com

319TheEarthisafourthestateworld,followingthesamepatternasthenobleandgreatoneswhocondescend,leavingbehindtheirglorytosavesouls.Becauseofitsanointedstatus,itwillbeexaltedandreceiveCelestialglory.Thisisnotsomethingeveryplanetwillhave.320Genesis2:17

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GodisverycarefulwhenandhowHebestowsknowledge.Wearetobegivenlineuponlineuntilwearereadytoreceiveafullness.To receive too much, too early, can be detrimental to thoseunprepared.

“Whomshallheteachknowledge?andwhomshallhe make to understand doctrine? them thatare weaned from the milk, and drawn from thebreasts. For precept must be uponprecept,preceptuponprecept; lineuponline,lineupon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah28:9-10)

Joseph Smith said, “It is not wisdom that we should have allknowledgeatoncepresentedbeforeus;butthatweshouldhavealittleatatime;thenwecancomprehendit.”321InmyownpersonalexperienceIcouldseethepatternforthis.Eachstepforwardwasa huge leap forme; from recognizing the Lord’s voice, seeing aglimpseofavision,conversingwithangels,mybaptismoffireandgiftoftheHolyGhost,tofinallyhavingmySecondComforter.But,therewassomuchmore.ReceivingtheGiftoftheHolyGhostwaslike graduating from high school. Having the Second Comforterexperiencewaslikeshowingupforcollegeonthefirstday;Ifeltlikethefreshmanstudentpokinghisheadintoclassroomscuriouswhatwasgoingon,andwithnocluewhatsoever.Everyexperiencewith the Lord adds additional knowledge and understanding tohowtheLordblessesus.ItisbeyondwordstotryandexclaimHisgloryandpower!TheApostlePetersaid,“Butgrowingrace,andintheknowledgeofourLordandSaviourJesusChrist.”322Theword“grace”means

321HistoryoftheChurch,5:387;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonMay14,1843,inYelrome,Illinois;reportedbyWilfordWoodruff.3222Peter3:18

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gloryorstageofourprogression.ItisagiftgivenfromGodtoman.OurknowledgeoftheLordwillgrowgraceforgrace,littlebylittle.

“If thou shalt ask, thou shaltreceiverevelationuponrevelation,knowledgeuponknowledge, that thoumayest know themysteriesandpeaceablethings—thatwhichbringethjoy,thatwhichbringethlifeeternal.”(D&C42:61)

TheprophetAlmacomparedthedevelopmentoftheknowledgeofGodtothecultivatingofaseed.

“21AndnowasIsaidconcerningfaith—faithisnottohaveaperfectknowledgeofthings;thereforeifyehavefaithyehopeforthingswhicharenotseen,whicharetrue.26Now,asIsaidconcerningfaith—thatitwasnotaperfectknowledge—evensoitiswithmywords.Yecannotknowoftheirsuretyatfirst,untoperfection,any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.[Knowledgecomesinincrements.Atfirst,weonlyreadorstudy,andarepreachedtobyothers.]34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect?Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, andyourfaith isdormant;andthisbecauseyouknow,foryeknowthatthewordhath swelled your souls, and ye also know that ithath sprouted up, that your understanding dothbegintobeenlightened,andyourminddothbegintoexpand.”[Wejudgetheknowledgebythelightthat it brings to us. This requires the gift ofDiscernment.Manyspiritualgiftsareutilizedaswereceivethewordofknowledge.]42Andbecauseofyourdiligenceandyourfaithandyour patience with the word [requirements to

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receiveafullnessofthegift]innourishingit,thatitmay take root in you, behold, by and by ye shallpluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious,whichissweetaboveallthatissweet,andwhichiswhiteaboveallthatiswhite,yea,andpureaboveallthatispure;andyeshallfeastuponthisfruitevenuntilyearefilled,thatyehungernot,neithershallyethirst.[AfullnessofthegiftofKnowledge.]43Then,mybrethren,yeshallreaptherewardsofyour faith, and your diligence, and patience, andlong-suffering, waiting for the tree to bringforthfruituntoyou.(Alma32)

The Tree of Life symbol is an eternally profound metaphor. Itrepresentsthe“loveofGod,”anditsfruitistheknowledgethatwereceivefromHim.323Itisthemostdesirableaboveallthings...themostjoyoustothesoul.”324Itisimportanttounderstandthatitisa real tree,whichexists in therealmsofHeaven.Eachofuswillsomeday,asweareworthy,partakeofitsfruit.325There are different kinds of knowledge that God imparts to Hischildren. His Gospel contains the rudimentary layers of Hisdoctrine;326namely,faith,repentance,baptismofwater,andthegift of the Holy Ghost. This knowledge has come to the worldthrough His commandments. From here we are commanded toseekafterHimandreceivemoreknowledgeuntilwehavereceivedallthings.Everysoulofthisworldisgivenachoicetochoosethe

3231Nephi8:10-183241Nephi11:22-23325ThereisaconnectionbetweentheTreeofLifeandtheEverlastingCovenant,butitiscontainedwithinthemysteriesofgodliness.TopartakeofthefruitistohaveafullnessoftheSecondComforterandEternalLife.3263Nephi11:28-40

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Everlasting Covenant,327 either before they came here, now, orafter.328JosephSmithsaid,“Itisimpossibleforamantobesavedinignorance.”329Ourtaskistogainknowledge,andovercomeourignoranceofGod’slaws.

“And if a person gains more knowledge andintelligence in this life through his diligence andobedience than another, he will have so muchtheadvantageintheworldtocome.”(D&C130:19)“YewerealsointhebeginningwiththeFather;thatwhich is Spirit, even the Spirit of truth;Andtruthisknowledgeofthingsastheyare,andastheywere,andastheyaretocome;Andwhatsoeverismoreorlessthanthisisthespiritofthatwickedonewhowasa liar from thebeginning. TheSpiritoftruthisofGod.IamtheSpiritoftruth,andJohnborerecordofme,saying:Hereceivedafulnessoftruth,yea,evenofalltruth;Andnomanreceivethafulnessunlesshekeepethhiscommandments.Hethat keepeth his commandmentsreceivethtruthandlight,untilheisglorifiedintruthandknowethallthings.”(D&C93:22-28)

The“spiritoftruth”isanotherwaytosaythe“knowledgeofGod.”ThisknowledgeiscommunicatedtousthroughHislight,whichisHisHolySpirit.ThegloryofGodin itsfullnesscannotbelearnedfrom books, ceremony, or any other way than directly throughHim.330 “I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe

327Genesis9:16,Genesis17:7,2Samuel23:5,1Chronicles16:17,Jeremiah32:40,D&C22:1,D&C45:9,D&C49:9,D&C66:2,D&C101:39328Moroni8:22,Alma13:3-5“AWitnessoftheHeavenlyRealm,”Anonymous,pg.87-89329D&C131:6330Hosea6:6

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righteousnesstomyMaker.”331ThegreatdepositoriesofGodaremanylightyearsaway,yetimmediatelyavailabletousthroughHisSpirit,accordingtoHiswill.Hislightandglory,likethespiritualfiberopticsoftheSpirit;theycarryalllightandtruthtous.ThespiritualgiftoftheWordofKnowledge is important,butweareremindedthatitissecondarytothegiftofCharity:

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, andunderstand all mysteries, and all knowledge; andthough I have all faith, so that I could removemountains,andhavenotcharity,Iamnothing.”(1Corinthians13:2)

Without a clear connection to the Lord, His divine will, suchknowledgecannotsaveus.Therearemanymysteriesthatcanbefound through careful study, but where are we without arelationshipwiththeLord?332

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, weknow that we all have knowledge. Knowledgepuffethup,butcharityedifieth.Andifanymanthinkthatheknowethanything,heknowethnothingyetasheoughttoknow.ButifanymanloveGod,thesameisknownofhim.”(1Corinthians8:1-3)

OurlovefortheLordwillbeadrivingforcetowardreceivingmoreknowledgeofHim.TheprophetAbrahamlovedtheLordandsoughtdiligentlytofindHimandgainknowledge.333

331Job36:3332Matthew7:21-23333Abraham2:12,Proverbs8:17,21,D&C46:9

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“And, finding there was greater happiness andpeaceandrestforme,Isoughtfortheblessingsofthe fathers, and the right whereunto I should beordained to administer the same; having beenmyselfafollowerofrighteousness,desiringalsotobeonewhopossessedgreatknowledge,andtobeagreaterfollowerofrighteousness,andtopossessagreater knowledge, and to be a father ofmany nations, a prince of peace, and desiring toreceive instructions, and to keep thecommandments of God, I became a rightful heir,a High Priest, holding the right belonging to thefathers.”(Abraham1:2)

The“blessingsof the fathers” is theEverlastingCovenant,whichAbraham sought.334 He first received knowledge from hisassociationwithhisfather-in-law,thenMelchizedek,administeringangels,andthenthefullnessofthegreaterknowledgewhenhehadhisSecondComforterandhiscallingandelectionwasmadesure.Abraham had been foreordained for his calling,335 but had tostruggle to gain the knowledge he needed just as we do. The“fathers,”whosepriesthoodhesoughtwerethegreatpatriarchsbeforethefloodofNoah.Nephi also had a great desire to know the Lord and acquireknowledge.Hewas taught the scripturesbyhis father Lehi, andafter exercising sufficient faith he was able to receive greatknowledge,eventhatthemysterieswereunfoldedtohim.

“I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents,thereforeIwastaughtsomewhatinallthelearningofmyfather;andhavingseenmanyafflictionsinthecourseofmydays,nevertheless,havingbeenhighly

334D&C84:19335Abraham3:23

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favoredoftheLordinallmydays;yea,havinghadagreatknowledgeofthegoodnessandthemysteriesofGod,thereforeImakearecordofmyproceedingsinmydays.”(1Nephi1:1)

What are the first steps we must take to prepare ourselves toreceive greater knowledge? In Proverbs it reads, “The fear ofthe Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but foolsdespisewisdomandinstruction.”336WhatdoesitmeantofeartheLord?

“Andnow,itcametopassthatwhenkingBenjaminhadmadeanendofspeakingthewordswhichhadbeendelivereduntohimbytheangelof theLord,thathecasthiseyesroundaboutonthemultitude,and behold they had fallen to the earth, forthefearoftheLordhadcomeuponthem.Andtheyhad viewed themselves in their own carnal state,even less than thedust of theearth.And they allcriedaloudwithonevoice, saying:Ohavemercy,andapplytheatoningbloodofChristthatwemayreceiveforgivenessofoursins,andourheartsmaybepurified;forwebelieveinJesusChrist,theSonofGod,whocreatedheavenandearth,andallthings;whoshallcomedownamongthechildrenofmen.”(Mosiah4:1-2)“AndtheSpiritoftheLordshallrestuponhim,thespirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit ofcounselandmight, the spiritofknowledgeandofthe fearof the Lord;And shallmakehimofquickunderstandinginthefearoftheLord;andheshallnotjudgeafterthesightofhiseyes,neitherreproveafterthehearingofhisears.”(2Nephi21:2-3)

336Proverbs1:7

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To “fear the Lord” is to be overcome with the Spirit, to see yourself as God sees you, to understand the significance of the atoning blood of Christ, a great desire to be made clean and to come unto Him. The fear we feel is the possibility that we cannot obtain forgiveness and come to Him.337 This overcoming of fear may require the Lord to bless us with other gifts of the Spirit.338 Alongwithgreatdesireand“thefearoftheLord”thereareotherattributesthatcanleadtogreaterknowledgeintheSpirit.

“Yea, if thoucriestafterknowledge,and liftestupthyvoiceforunderstanding;Ifthouseekestherassilver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;ThenshaltthouunderstandthefearoftheLord,andfind the knowledge of God. Forthe Lord giveth wisdom: out of hismouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”(Proverbs2:3-6)

Aswe pray and ask fervently,339 like seeking for the greatest oftreasure, the Lord will provide great knowledge andunderstanding.340 Joseph Smith said to amanwho had recentlyjoinedtheChurch:

337D&C76:5338Wemayreceivethegiftofforgiveness,orthegiftofanewheart,orevenagifttoseeourselvesaswetrulyare.ThereisnolimittothedifferentkindsofgiftstheLordcanbestowuponus.339Proverbs23:12340“Theexaltationandhappinessofanycommunity,goeshandinhandwiththeknowledgepossessedbythepeople,whenappliedtolaudableends;whereuponwecanexclaimlikethewiseman;righteousnessexaltethanation;forrighteousnessembracesknowledgeandknowledgeispower.”TimesandSeasons,CityofNauvoo,August15,1842,pg.889

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“Yourememberthetestimonywhich Ibore in thenameoftheLordJesus,concerningthegreatworkwhich He has brought forth in the last days. Youknowmymanner of communication, how that inweaknessandsimplicity,IdeclaredtoyouwhattheLordhadbroughtforthbytheministeringofHisholyangelstomeforthisgeneration.IpraythattheLordmay enable you to treasure these things in yourmind,forIknowthatHisSpiritwillbeartestimonyto all who seek diligently after knowledge fromHim.”341

Aswe seek theknowledgeof the Lord fervently, likedigging fortreasure, we may be tempted to run faster than we havestrength.342IhavepersonallyseenmanydothisastheyseektheirSecond Comforter. They become frustrated that they have notseen visionsorheard the voiceof the Lord,when they areonlybeginning theprocess.There isagoodcouncil fromthebookofProverbs: “Theheartof theprudentgettethknowledge;andtheear of the wise seeketh knowledge.”343 To be prudent is to becautious and wise. Understand that these gifts are given to usaccordingtotheLord’swisdom.Hewillgivethemtousasquicklyaswecanbear.Itisagoodruletoseektounderstandthegiftofdiscernmentandrevelationbeforeanythingelse;alwaysaskingtheLordforpermissionandconfirmationaswemoveforward.

“… Let honesty, and sobriety, and candor, andsolemnity,andvirtue,andpureness,andmeekness,andsimplicitycrownourheadsineveryplace;andin fine, become as little children, without malice,guile or hypocrisy. And now, brethren, after your

341HistoryoftheChurch,1:442;fromaletterfromJosephSmithtoMosesNickerson,Nov.19,1833,Kirtland,Ohio.342Mosiah4:27343Proverbs18:15

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tribulations, if you do these things, and exerciseferventprayerandfaithinthesightofGodalways,HeshallgiveuntoyouknowledgebyHisHolySpirit,yea by the unspeakable gift of the HolyGhost[seeD&C121:26].”344

One of the greatest examples of one who received the gift ofKnowledge was the brother of Jared. Few have received aknowledgeoftheLordtothedegreehewasblessed.345Thisverseprovidescluesastowhythatoccurred.

“Andbecauseoftheknowledgeofthismanhecouldnotbekeptfrombeholdingwithintheveil;andhesawthefingerofJesus,which,whenhesaw,hefellwithfear;forheknewthatitwasthefingeroftheLord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew,nothing doubting. Wherefore, having this perfectknowledgeofGod,hecouldnotbekeptfromwithintheveil;thereforehesawJesus;andhedidministeruntohim.”(Ether3:19-20)

Whatwas the “knowledge” that the Brother of Jared possessedthat opened the veil? The verse says that it was “perfectknowledge.”ToahaveaperfectknowledgeistoknowGod,toseeHim,andbeadministeredbyHim.346Thepursuitofrevelation,orgreaterknowledge,requiresustohearandthentoseeintheSpirit.Thismanhaddevelopedthesegiftstothepointwherehewouldseekinspirationforhowtosolveproblems.Howwouldheprovidelightforthepeoplewhileinthebarges?ThebrotherofJaredused

344HistoryoftheChurch,3:295–96;paragraphdivisionsaltered;fromaletterfromJosephSmithandotherstoEdwardPartridgeandtheChurch,Mar.20,1839,LibertyJail,Liberty,Missouri;partsofthisletterwerelaterincludedintheDoctrineandCovenantsassections121,122,and123.345Ether4:4,7346AWitnessoftheTemporalDispensations,Anonymous,pg.81-87

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hisimaginationandwasledbythespiritofrevelationtomoltenthestonesfromthemountain.WhenhepresentedthesixteenstonestotheLordandaskedHimtotoucheachstone,again,inhismind,hesawtheLord’sfingerasthestoneslitup.Thinkingthathehadan impure thoughthe recoiledknowing thatany impuritywouldshutoffHiscommunicationbetweentheLord.TheLordrequiredhimtodeclarehisfaithinHim,andthereafterrevealedhimselftothebrotherofJaredinHisfullness.Whatcanwelearnfromthisstory?First,thebrotherofJaredwasnotaperfectperson.HewasdistractedbylifeandhadsinnedinthathewentalongperiodwithoutseekingrevelationandcomingtotheLord.347Second,herepentedandtheLordforgaveandgavegreatrevelationstohim,whichhelistenedtoandobeyed.348Third,heusedhisimaginationtoseeandallowtheSpirittorevealtoHimthetruth.349Fourth,oncehehadprovenhishearttotheLordandhisleveloffaithwasfullymature,theLordrevealedHimself.350WhatwasitaboutthebrotherofJaredthatsoimpressedtheLord?Wasithiscreativityingatheringthestones?Wasithowhighanddifficultthemountainclimbwas?Wasitthesincerityandemotionforwhichhedid“cryuntotheLord?”No,asgoodastheseare,whatthebrotherofJaredwasabletodois“see”withaneyeoffaith,351withoutanypriorknowledgeorencouragement.Heusedhisdivineimaginationtoparttheveil;352andthewindowsofHeavenblew

347Ether2:14-15EventhisprophetoftheLordgreatlysinned,buttheLordforgavehim,asHewillalsodotousinourweakness.348Ether2:5HekepttheLord’scommandments.ThereisthegeneralcommandmentgiventoMoses,whichthebrotherofJaredhadneverseenbecausehelivedlongbeforeMoses’time.Butthecommandmentswereceivepersonallybyrevelationaretheonesweareboundtokeepifwewishtoprogressspiritually.349Ether3:3-4350Ether3:13351D&C88:67-68,Alma32:40,Ether12:19,Mormon8:15,3521Chronicles28:9,Alma5:15-18,Alma32:33,40-41,Ether12:18-19

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rightopen.353Thisishowitcanworkforyou,asyoufollowthegiftofknowledge,revelation,andfaith.This is not “conjuring;”354 but learning to focus our imaginationtowardsdivinelygivenrevelation.Afterweinitiateavisualinourmind,theSpiritcanbethevisualguideasoureyesandearsbegintoopen,andeventuallywiththeLord’spermissionwearecaughtuptoHeaven.Asyoumayhavenoticed,hesawtheLord’sfinger,but not his full personage until permission was given. The Lordoftenrevealshimselftousincrementally;beginningwithdreams,visions, and sometimes only seeingHis hands or feet first. Eachperson’sexperiencemaybedifferent,butthegiftofknowledgeisavailabletoallwhoexercisesufficientfaith.

ThegiftoftheWordofKnowledgeisalsoapowerfulforceagainsttheAdversary.GodplacedenmitybetweenSatanandtheseedofthe woman, which means that the Seed of Adam would be incontinualoppositiontoSatan.TheknowledgethatwereceivefromGodgivesusadditionalpoweroverhimandhisangels.WithoutourknowledgeoftheLord,Satanhaspoweroverus.355

“Knowledgedoesawaywithdarkness,suspenseanddoubt;forthesecannotexistwhereknowledgeis.…Inknowledgethereispower.Godhasmorepowerthan all other beings, because He has greaterknowledge;andhenceHeknowshowtosubjectallotherbeingstoHim.Hehaspoweroverall.”356

353Numbers24:16,D&C93:1354“Conjuring”impliescreatingavisionusingtricksormagic,oftenutilizingthepoweroftheadversary.Refertothegiftofdiscernment.355Jeremiah4:22356HistoryoftheChurch,5:340;capitalizationmodernized;paragraphdivisionsaltered;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonApr.8,1843,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichardsandWilliamClayton.

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“Therefore my people are gone into captivity,because they have no knowledge: and theirhonourablemenarefamished,andtheirmultitudedriedupwiththirst.”(Isaiah5:13)“AsfaraswedegeneratefromGod,wedescendtothe devil and lose knowledge, and withoutknowledge we cannot be saved, and while ourhearts are filled with evil, and we are studyingevil, there is no room in our hearts for good, orstudyinggood.IsnotGodgood?Thenyoubegood;if He is faithful, then you be faithful. Add to yourfaithvirtue,tovirtueknowledge,andseekforeverygoodthing[see2Peter1:5].…Aman issavednofasterthanhegetsknowledge,forifhedoesnotgetknowledge, he will be brought into captivity bysomeevil power in theotherworld, asevil spiritswillhavemoreknowledge,andconsequentlymorepowerthanmanymenwhoareontheearth.Henceit needs revelation to assist us, and give usknowledgeofthethingsofGod.”357

Peter’s advice to have faith, and then to seek virtue beforeknowledgeisagooddirectionforustotake.Virtueisallthingsthatare beautiful, inspiring, Christ-centered, and lead to our Lord.Knowledgeisgainedasweallowvirtuetofillourhearts;forvirtueistheplatformforallrevelation.

“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards allmen, and to the household of faith, andlet virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; thenshallthyconfidencewaxstronginthepresenceofGod;andthedoctrineofthepriesthoodshalldistil

357HistoryoftheChurch,4:588;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonApr.10,1842,inNauvoo,Illinois;reportedbyWilfordWoodruff.

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upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.” (D&C121:45)

Receiving a fullness of the gifts of the Spirit requires us to gainconfidenceintheLord.Thisisdirectlyrelatedtothepoweroffaithandrevelation.Thereisnogreaterwaytogainthisconfidencethanto keep the Lord’s commandments and seek virtue always. Togarnishourselveswithvirtueistohaveitarounduseverywherewegoandthink.Itisabeautifulwaytoliveyourlife.

OncewehavereceivedknowledgeoftheLord,howdoweknowwhentoshareit?FromthetimeofmyfirstexperienceswiththeLordIhavehadaconstantanxietyforhowmuchIamallowedtoshareandnotoffendtheLord.Ihavechosentoerroronthesideofrevealing too little than too much.358 I know this sounds oddconsideringhowmuchIhavesharedinmywritings.TheLordhasgivenmethreedistinctcommandmentsregardingwhatIcanshare.First,HesaidthatHewouldstopmyutteranceifIamnottosharesomething. Ihavehad thisoccuronmanyoccasions.Often, it issimplybecauseitwasinappropriatetimingforthepersontoheartheinformation.Whatmaybehelpfulforone,maybehurtfulforanother.Second,Iwastomakemyblogpublic,buttocreateitinawaythatwouldbediscouragingtothosewhowereunpreparedtoreceivetheknowledge.Thefirstbookwaswritteninawaythatitwoulddothis.It isveryoffensivetopeoplewhoseethebookasnotinharmonywiththeirviewofChurchauthority.Third,Iwasnottowrite about the “mysteries.” Themysteries are not to simplymean things that are unknown to the world, but much more.JosephSmithsharedthispieceofknowledge:

“Godhimself,findinghewasinthemidstofspiritsand glory, because he was more intelligent, sawpropertoinstitutelawswherebytherestcouldhaveaprivilegetoadvancelikehimself.Therelationship

358Proverbs17:27

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wehavewithGodplacesusinasituationtoadvancein knowledge. He has power to institute laws toinstructtheweakerintelligences,thattheymaybeexaltedwithHimself, so that theymighthaveonegloryuponanother,andallthatknowledge,power,glory,andintelligence,whichisrequisiteinordertosavethemintheworldofspirits.”359

ThekindofknowledgetheLordhasallowedmetosharearethingssuchasAdamandEve,theflood,theNephilim,angels,etc.Thesearemysterioustopics,butthekindofmysteriesIamreferringtoare the details regarding the Everlasting Covenant which arerelatedtooureternalprogression.TheLordwillrevealthefullnessofthisknowledgetoyouwhenyouhaveyourcallingandelectionmadesureandaskallthequestionsforyourself.NephiexperiencedasimilaradmonishmentfromtheLord:

“Behold,hehathheardmycrybyday,andhehathgivenme knowledge by visions in the night-time.And by day have I waxed bold inmightyprayerbeforehim;yea,myvoicehaveIsentuponhigh;andangelscamedownandministereduntome.AnduponthewingsofhisSpirithathmybody been carried away upon exceedingly highmountains.Andmineeyeshavebeheldgreatthings,yea,eventoogreatforman;thereforeIwasbiddenthatIshouldnotwritethem.” (2Nephi4:23-25)

Weliveinatimewhenthe“wordofknowledge”isincreasedintheworldmore than any other time in over four thousand years. Iasked the Lordonce if thereweremanyothers likeme thatare359ThisisattheconclusionoftheKingFollettSermon,deliveredbytheProphetJosephSmithattheApril7,1844,conferenceoftheChurchinNauvoo,Illinois.

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meetingwithHim.Hesaidthereweremorenowthaneverbefore,but that we all have different experiences depending upon thequestions that we ask. Those who will experience the Lord willcontinuetoincreaseuntilthetimewhentheearthiscleansedandHisknowledgeshallfilltheworld.

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words,andsealthebook,eventothetimeoftheend:manyshall run to and fro, and knowledge shall beincreased.”(Daniel12:4)“They shall not hurt nor destroy in all myholy mountain: for the earth shall be full oftheknowledgeoftheLord,asthewaterscoverthesea.”(Isaiah11:9)“Andalso thatofelement shallmeltwith ferventheat; and all things shall become new, that myknowledgeandglorymaydwelluponalltheearth.”(D&C101:25)

Mydearbrothersandsisters, seek thegiftsof theSpiritwithallyour heart and all things shall be added unto you. There is noquestion whether the Lord will answer you – He will! Theknowledgeyoureceivewillhelpyouinyourjourneyasyougrowgraceforgraceuntiltheperfectday.

17)WordofWisdomHowdoweacquirewisdom?Canapersonbesmartandnotwise?Beingsmartorloadedwithknowledgehaslittletodowithwisdom.Mostwouldanswerthatwisdomisanattributethatwouldrequireadeepunderstandingoftheworldaroundthem;takingmanyyears

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ofearthlyexperiencetostudyanddevelop.360ThisisnothowtheLord’s servants acquire wisdom. It is a gift of God that growsthroughourspiritualmaturityandrelationshipwithHim.361Whatisthisspiritualgift,the“WordofWisdom?”362IntheChurchitisoftenattributedtosection89oftheDoctrineinCovenants;363butthegift isbroaderandappliestomanyaspectsoftheLord’skingdom. It is agiftwhichbringsbalanceandharmony toGod’sworks.364 The Lord is careful to whom it is given.365 Usually, itwitnesses to future events and an understanding to their finalpurpose and judgement.366 To have wisdom is to have theknowledgeofGodandtounderstanditsfullapplication.There are three pillars that support the Patriarchal Priesthood;whicharethefoundationforallGod’sworks:Charity,Knowledge,andWisdom.367Eachoftheseattributesmustbeacquiredinordertoreceiveexaltation.368Webegintoreceiveaportionoftheseaswedraw closer to the Lord, beginning inmortality.When these360Job32:7-9361Psalm37:30-31362Isaiah11:2,D&C46:17,1Corinthians12:8363D&C89:1-2“AWordofWisdom,forthebenefitofthecouncilofhighpriests,assembledinKirtland,andthechurch,andalsothesaintsinZion—Tobesentgreeting;notbycommandmentorconstraint,butbyrevelationandthewordofwisdom,showingforththeorderandwillofGodinthetemporalsalvationofallsaintsinthelastdays—Givenforaprinciplewithpromise,adaptedtothecapacityoftheweakandtheweakestofallsaints,whoareorcanbecalledsaints.Behold,verily,thussaiththeLorduntoyou:Inconsequenceofevilsanddesignswhichdoandwillexistintheheartsofconspiringmeninthelastdays,Ihavewarnedyou,andforewarnyou,bygivinguntoyouthiswordofwisdombyrevelation—“[Thisrevelationwaspropheticinnature,theLord’swisdomwasawordofwarningtoHisChurch,butnotbycommandment.]364D&C88:40365Proverbs14:6-8,333661Kings3:28367Colossians2:2-3,refertoHowToOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.368D&C11:7

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giftsarereceivedinafullness,wewillhaveovercomeallthingsandhave all wisdom and understanding,369 and a full knowledge ofGod.370Without divine wisdom, we cannot have the power andunderstandingtoimplementtheLord’scommands.SometimesthisisrelayedtotheLord’sservantsbyrevelation,butoftentheLordonlycommandsustodothings,withoutknowingbeforehandthefullknowledgeandwisdombehindit.371

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them thatareperfect:yetnotthewisdomofthisworld,noroftheprincesofthisworld,thatcometonought:7 But we speak the wisdom of God ina mystery, even the hidden wisdom, whichGodordainedbeforetheworlduntoourglory:13Which things also we speak, not in the wordswhichman’swisdomteacheth,butwhichtheHolyGhost teacheth; comparing spiritual things withspiritual.(1Corinthians2:6-7,13)

Thisdivinewisdom,whichunderstandstheLord’spurposesintheirfullness,isoftencompletelyhiddenfromtheworld.Someofthesemysteries are touched upon lightly in the scriptures, left to thesecularauthoritiestoscoffandattempttointerpret.Theworldwascreatedinsixdays?HowcouldAdamandEvehavebeenthefirstmanandwoman?Howcouldtherehavebeenaworldfloodandonlyeightpeoplesurvived?

3691Kings4:29-30,1Kings7:14,1Chronicles22:11-12370Proverbs16:16“Howmuchbetterisittogetwisdomthangold!andtogetunderstandingrathertobechosenthansilver!”3711Nephi4:6Likedrivingthehorseandcarriageblindfolded.

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What do people do when the stories of the Bible or Book ofMormondon’tsupportthepopularscientificviewpoints?DidtheLord reveal all the facts surrounding these events? Many areincredulous, because they do not have the Lord’s wisdom andunderstanding.

“For thewisdom of this world is foolishness withGod. For it iswritten, He taketh thewise in theirown craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth thethoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” (1Corinthians3:19-20)“We do, however, speak a message of wisdomamongthemature,butnotthewisdomofthisageor of the rulers of this age, who are coming tonothing.No,wedeclareGod’swisdom, amysterythathasbeenhiddenandthatGoddestinedforourglorybeforetimebegan.”(1Corinthians2:6-7)

ThefactisthatwecanknowforourselvestheLord’spurposesandunderstandwhy thingsoccurand towhatend. It is agift to theLord’sservants.Youhavebarelybeguntoscratchthesurfaceoftheknowledgeandwisdomavailabletoyou.Wheredoesonestart?Tounderstandhowwearetopossessthegiftofthewordofwisdomwemustlearnto“feartheLord.”372

“The fearof the Lord is thebeginningofwisdom:and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”(Proverbs9:10)

As I wrote earlier, to “fear the Lord” is to be overcome with the Spirit, to see yourself as God sees you, to understand the significance of the atoning blood of Christ, a great desire to be made

372Psalm111:10,Proverbs8:11-14,Proverbs15:33,Isaiah33:6

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clean and to come unto Him.373 As we begin to receive revelation we are given knowledge concerning that which is holy.

“Anduntomanhesaid,Behold,thefearoftheLord,that is wisdom; and to depart fromevilisunderstanding.”(Job28:28)

Wisdom is a gift the Lord bestows upon those who ask Him infaith,374 without reservation.375 Those who doubt the Lord, orwhetherHewouldbestowsuchagiftuponthem,arelikelytohavenogiftgiven.Oftenourunbeliefisthepoisonthatpreventsusfromreceivingthegift.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,thatgivethtoallmenliberally,andupbraidethnot;and it shall be givenhim.But lethimask in faith,nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like awaveoftheseadrivenwiththewindandtossed.”(James1:5-6)

ItisinterestingthattheLordsaid,“ifyoulackwisdom.”Hedidnotsay, “If you lackknowledge,376or if you lackmoney,oranythingmaterial.ThisscripturehadaprofoundimpactonJosephSmithasa young boy seeking to know which Church to join.377 It wasdirectedtowardreceivingknowledgeandwisdom,asJosephwentseekingtoknowwhatheshoulddo.Hethenwasgivenwisdom;to

373D&C76:5BeginwiththeDoctrineofChrist,3Nephi11:28-40374D&C109:7375D&C42:68376IfyoulackanythingyoucanaskGodandthesameruleapplies.IbelievetheLordusuallyimpartsanequaldegreeofwisdomtothesamedegreeofknowledgethatisgiven.377Theanswerthatnoneofthemweretruewasknowledge,theanswertojoinnoneofthemwaswisdom.

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knowacourseofaction.378 Josephsaid,“Thebestwaytoobtaintruthandwisdomisnottoaskitfrombooks,buttogotoGodinprayer,andobtaindivineteaching.”379

“We...mustbeunder[God's]guidanceifweareprospered, preserved and sustained. Our onlyconfidencecanbeinGod;ouronlywisdomobtainedfromHim:andHealonemustbeourprotectorandsafeguard,spirituallyandtemporally,orwefall.”380

JosephSmithlearnedtoleanontheLordinallthings;therefore,hewastaughtmuchwisdominthingsspiritual.DidtheLordgivehimallknowledgeandwisdomthefirsttimeHeappearedinthegrovenearJoseph’shome?No,itcametohimincrementally.

“Forbehold,thussaiththeLordGod:Iwillgiveuntothe children ofmen line upon line, precept uponprecept,herealittleandtherealittle;andblessedarethosewhohearkenuntomyprecepts,andlendanearuntomycounsel,fortheyshalllearnwisdom;for unto him that receiveth I will give more; andfrom them that shall say,We have enough, fromthem shall be taken away even that which theyhave.”(2Nephi28:30)

TheBookofProverbsisabookintheBibledevotedmuchtothetopicofwisdom.It isattributedtoKingSolomon,consideredthewisest man of his time. He ruled over the construction of theJerusalemtempleanddespiteallhiswisdom,intheendbecamea

378Thecourseofactionisreceivedasweexercisefaithorrevelation.Sometimeswereceiveknowledgeandsometimesalsowisdom.Theunderstandingthatcomeswithwisdommakesitpossibletoknowhowtoproceedproperly.Otherwise,youcannotmoveforward.379TeachingsoftheProphetJosephSmith,191380JosephSmith,HistoryoftheChurch,5:64.

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wickedmanandlostthegiftwhichtheLordhadgivenhim.381TheLordisnorespecterofpersons,382anddivinewisdomisonlygiventothehumbleandmeekwhoservetheLord.383ThosewhohavethegiftoftheWordofWisdomareblessedwithanunderstandingoftheLord’spurposes,andHisfutureplansforhowthesepurposesaretobebroughttopass.384WherethegiftofprophesyistospeakthewordoftheLord,thegiftofWisdomdoesnotnecessarilymeanitistobeshared.OftensuchthingsarekeptsilentandonlysharedastheLordpermits.385IfyouareaseekerofthegiftofKnowledge,seekalsoforthegiftoftheWordofWisdomthatyoumayseeclearlywhattheLordwouldhaveyoutodo.

18)ToKnowtheDiversitiesofOperationsEverygiftoftheSpirit isrelatedtopriesthood.386WhentheLordgivesyouagift,itisindirectproportiontoyourrelationshipwithHim.387Manyinthechurchareunfamiliarwiththisdefinition,astheyseepriesthoodasapassingofprivilegeandholinessfromoneMelchizedekpriesthoodbearingmantoanotherwithintheChurch,asitisadministeredbyproperauthority.388Suchordinationsandconfirmationsareappropriate,butnotbinding inholinessunless

3811Kings11382D&C1:34-35,Acts10:34-35383Alma32:12,D&C97:1384Revelation13:18385Proverbs11:12386D&C124:95,387Helaman10:4-5388Therearecertainpriesthooddutieswhichrequireadelegatedstewardshipor“office”inthepriesthood,inordertoperformChurchordinancesorleadership.TheseoperationsareadministeredthroughtheChurchhierarchy.Someonewiththisspiritualgiftwillknowthediversitiesofoperations,andcomprehendtheLord’slightwhenpriesthoodisusedordarknesswhenitisnot.

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sealedbytheLord.389Churchorganizationalpriesthoodconductsperfunctorydutieswithinvariousoffices;andwillonlyaccountforhigherpriesthoodoperationswhentheLord’shandisuponit.390The word “priesthood” has become a word synonymous withstatusand leadership.But, it’s truenature isoneof relationshipwith God,with charity, without any pride or compulsion.391Weshouldnotseekpriesthoodstatus,butpriesthoodrelationship.392TheLordiseagertobringeachofusclosertoHim,andaswedothiswearenumberedamongHis’servants.393Toknowthe“DiversitiesofOperations”394istounderstandandseewithclaritytheLord’sworksinaction.Itistodiscerninstitutionalbehavior,whetheritbereligiousorgovernmental;whetheritisofGodortheAdversary.395Bothmen,women,andevenchildrenarecapableofreceivingthisgift;usually,afterhavingreceivedthegiftoftheHolyGhost.396TherearegroupsoutsidetheLDSchurchwho

389D&C84:33-40390OnlytheLordknowsthetrueworthinessofindividualsadministeringpriesthoodfunctions.EarthlyordinancesperformedbythosewithlowerAaronicpriesthoodcanprovidethetemporalordinancesnecessarytopointtothehigherspiritualordinancesthatareadministeredundertheLord’sdirectionandarereceivedintheheavenlyrealm.391D&C121:37392TheLorddoesn’tdistinguishpriesthoodsbyofficesornames.Heisnorespecterofpersons,butseesusaccordingtoourclosenesstoHim.ThetrustHehasinusdetermineshowmuchlightandpowerweareabletouseinHisname.IfyouhaveanydesiretoknowHim,andserveHim,youarecalledtothework.(D&C4:2-3)3931Nephi14:2,3Nephi15:24,3Nephi16:3,3Nephi21:6,Mormon7:10394D&C46:16395D&C101:95396Withoutthegiftofcharity,itwouldbedifficulttoknowtheLord’swill.Moroni10:5

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exercisemanyofthegiftsoftheSpirit.397TodiscernwhatistruerequiresarelationshipwiththeLord.

“Behold,thisismydoctrine—whosoeverrepentethand cometh unto me, the same is my church.Whosoever declareth more or less than this, thesameisnotofme,butisagainstme;thereforeheisnotofmychurch.”(D&C10:67-68)

Anypriesthoodwewish toacquire canonly come ifwe joinHisChurch. The Lord clearly states that His doctrine contains tworequirementsonly:torepentandcomeuntoHim.398Whereverthisoccurs,theseindividualswillbeclassedamongtheSaintsofGod.

“And the Spirit giveth light to every man thatcomethintotheworld;andtheSpiritenlightenetheveryman through theworld, that hearkeneth tothe voice of the Spirit. And every one thathearkenethto thevoiceof theSpiritcomethuntoGod,eventheFather.AndtheFatherteachethhimofthe[gospel]covenantwhichhehasrenewedandconfirmeduponyou”(D&C84:46–48).

Therearemanypeoplespreadthroughouttheworldtoday399whohavequalifiedtobecountedamongtheLord’sChurch.Theycomefromvariousbackgroundsanddenominations.400Somearemoreknowledgeable of these gifts; but all denominations suffer from

3971Corinthians14:12,theearlyChristianchurchwassevenseparatechurchesordenominations,allindependentofeachother,butallworshippingChrist.(Revelation1:4)3983Nephi11:26-40,DoctrineofChrist:repent,bebaptized,andreceivetheHolyGhost.399PeopleofmanyracesandChristiandenominations;however,theyarenotmixedwithotherreligiousphilosophies.Iftheirheartisdividedandrepentanceisnotcompleteitwillnotservethemwell.400Moroni7:16,

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unbeliefinonedegreeoranother.TheLDSChurchhasmuchtruth,as it was revealed through Joseph Smith; and also, muchunbelief.401

“IfIesteemmankindtobeinerrorshallIbearthemdown?No.Iwillliftthemup,andintheirownwaytoo,ifIcannotpersuadethemmywayisbetter;andIwillnotseektocompelanymantobelieveasIdo,onlybytheforceofreasoning,fortruthwillcutitsown way. Do you believe in Jesus Christ and theGospel of salvation which he revealed? So do I.Christians should ceasewrangling and contendingwith each other, and cultivate the principles ofunionandfriendshipintheirmidst.”402

WhenChristcametoAmericahehadtosettlesomedisputationsamong believers of different denominations.403 There are manythat love theLordasmuchasyouorme;andsomeof the leastlikelypeoplehavemorerelationshipwiththeLordthanyouwouldimagine. I have seen prophets in other denominations preachrepentancewiththepowerofGod.404IhaveseenotherChristiansusethegiftsoftheSpirit;andIknowtheLordwaswiththem.Thisparticulargift,toknowtheDiversitiesofOperations,canhelpyoutodiscernwhenitisrealorfalse.405

401D&C84:54-57402Smith,TeachingsoftheProphetJosephSmith,313–14.4033Nephi11:22,18:34,27:3-7InJune1829,OliverCowderyandDavidWhitmerwereinstructedto“contendagainstnochurch,saveitbethechurchofthedevil”(D&C18:20) 404SamueltheLamanite:Helaman13,Helaman14:10405PeoplewonderwhyIdon’tendorseorcondemntheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-daySaints.Thefactisthattherearemanyrighteousservantsandalsothosewhoarewicked.TheLordallowsthewheatandtarestogrowtogether.(Matt.13:25,D&C86,D&C101:65-67)Itisyourresponsibilitytoknowwheretofindthelight.ThisgiftoftheSpiritcanhelpinthisregard.

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“Icannotbelieveinanyofthecreedsofthedifferentdenominations,becausetheyallhavesomethingsin them I cannot subscribe to, though all of themhave some truth. I want to come up into thepresenceofGod,andlearnallthings;butthecreedssetup stakes, and say, ‘Hitherto shalt thou come,andnofurther’;whichIcannotsubscribeto.”406

Wemustdiscernthetruthwherever itmaybe.Thisspiritualgiftcan extend beyond the church to other institutions. To discernwhat is happening in governments, religions, and otherorganizations, which are often operated in a manner that iscontrary to God’s laws. To clearly see the hand of God or theAdversaryasitoperatesopenlyorinsecretisapartofthisgift.SomeexamplesfromscriptureofhowthisgiftalertedtheLord’sservantstotheAdversary’soperations:

• WhentheprophetAbrahamwas journeyingtoEgypt,theLordinstructedhimhowtoconcealthetrueidentityofhiswifetoavoidaconflictwithPharaoh’scourt.407

• Mosesknew themindandheartofPharaohandhowheplannedtodealwiththeIsraelites.408

• TheprophetDanielwasshownthethoughtsanddreamsofthe King, that he was able to preserve the lives of hisassociates.409

• Jesus and also Paulwere fully awareof theplots againstthembythePhariseesandSaducees.410

406Smith,Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith,327.OnecangainadeeperinsightintotheProphet’sfrustrationandpainconcerningthenegativeimpactofreligiouscreedsinhislettertotheSaintsfromLibertyJail(seeD&C123:7).407Abraham2:21-25408Exodus7:14409Daniel2:30410Matthew22:18,Acts23:6

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• Nephi knew the corruption and secret combinations thathadinfectedthejudgmentseatoftheland.411

JosephSmithalsoknewthelevelofcorruptionthatwould infectourlandinthelastdays:

Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: Inconsequenceofevilsanddesignswhichdoandwillexistintheheartsofconspiringmeninthelastdays,Ihavewarnedyou,andforewarnyou,bygivinguntoyouthiswordofwisdombyrevelation—412

ItisbybothrevelationanddiscernmentthattheLordwillshowusthese things. Thosewhohold thegift to know theDiscerningofOperations have the responsibility to reveal truth as the Lordcommandsthem.

12Fortherearemanyyetontheearthamongallsects, parties, and denominations, whoareblindedbythesubtlecraftinessofmen,wherebythey lie inwait todeceive,andwhoareonlykeptfromthetruthbecausetheyknownotwheretofindit—13Therefore, thatwe shouldwasteandwearoutourlivesinbringingtolightallthehiddenthingsofdarkness,whereinweknowthem;andtheyaretrulymanifestfromheaven—14 These should then be attended to withgreatearnestness.15Letnomancountthemassmallthings;forthereis much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to thesaints,whichdependsuponthesethings.

411Helaman8:27-28412D&C89:4

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16 You know, brethren, that a very large shipisbenefitedverymuchbyaverysmallhelminthetimeofastorm,bybeingkeptworkwayswiththewindandthewaves.(D&C123:12-16)

Mayyoubeblessedtopartakeofthisgift,thatyoumaybewisetowhat the Lord is doing in the churches, the governments of ourland, and abroad. His works are many, and cannot always beperceived, because by small means great things are brought topass.ThegiftwillalsoprovidediscernmenttothecunningplansoftheAdversaryasheworksamongmenandtheleadersoftheearthtodestroythechildrenofGodandusurpcontroloverthisworld.AsservantsoftheLordwemustbepreparedandaware.

19)ToKnowtheDifferencesofAdministrationWhatisyourroleandmissionintheKingdomofGod?Whereastheprevious gift opened a view of what is happening with thepriesthood around you, this spiritual gift413 will show you yourforeordainedmissionandhowtheLorddesiresyoutoaccomplishit.414 Every spiritual giftusually comes in increments,not alwaysknowingafullnessuntilwearesufficientlyprepared.Manyofyouhavereadmybookswhichtouchuponthe“estatesofprogression.”415Itisnotusefultobetoopreoccupiedwithwhereyouareintheladderofprogression.TheLordissufficientlypleasedwithasoulwhocomestoHimfromasecondestateandacceptstheNewCovenant;asHeiswithasoulwhoisawakenedtoperform

4131Corinthians12:5,D&C46:15414Jeremiah1:5,Romans8:29-30,Romans9:11,17,Ephesians1:4-13,Alma13:3-12415Availableathttp://purerevelations.wordpress.com,PDFfiles

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amission.416AllaremadeperfectthroughtheircalledmissionsfortheLord.417ThepurposesofthegiftsoftheSpiritaretobringyoutoChrist,andthenHewillhelpyouknowhowyouaretoadministertoothers.AllareimportanttotheLord.418Asyoureceivethisgiftyouwillnotonlymoreclearlyunderstandyourmission,butseewiththeLord’seye the callings of others around you. There is no room forjealousies,asallareblessedaccordingtotheirfaithandworks.419ThemissionofourLordisagoodexample:Forthefirstthirtyyearsof Jesus’ life he was an unknown carpenter from Nazareth. Herarely spoke in thesynagogueand liveda lifeofanonymity.ThedetailsregardingHismissioncametoHiminstages.First,theSpiritconfirmedthewordsofscripture;thenthewordsofHismother,and then rabbis of the synagogue. Heavenly Father gave Himsacred dreams and visions throughout His life, and when theproper timehad arrived, Jesus knewexactlywhat needed tobedoneandwheretogo.420Dependinguponyourmissionandwhatyouwereforeordainedtodo,apathwillalsoopenupforyoutofollow. There are many types of missions. Think of the word“administration”asamissionoftheLord.TypesofMissions:Tostrengthenafamily:Thesearethosewhoaresenttobreakthegenerationalchainsofabuse and addiction that may have afflicted a family for many

416Alma29:1-9417Hebrews5:8-104181Corinthians12:12-31419John21:21-23,D&C67:10420AWitnessoftheLifeofChrist,Anonymous,pg.8-11

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years.421Suchbravesoulssavecountlessotherspiritswhowouldhavebeenborntodirecircumstances.TheirsacrificesareprecioustotheLordandawayispreparedforthembytheangelsofGodandtheAtonement.Tobeargreatphysicalburdens:Howmanypeopledoweknowwhoseemtobeborntohorriblyunfaircircumstances?Childrenwithautism,DownsSyndrome,andotherphysicaldisabilitiesthatpreventthemfromhavinganormallife. Their sacrifices are great, but their joy inheaven is greater.Theyknowfullwellcomingintomortalitywhattheywillface.Manyof them have the opportunity to teach love and selflessness tofamily and those they come in contactwith. It is considered anhonorintheSpiritWorldtoreceivesuchacallingandmission.Toexperiencethegoodandtheevilthatyoumaychoosethegood:Thesesouls,thosewhohavemadetheEverlastingCovenantbeforebirth, are sentwith the expressmission to find and choose theLord.422Theyareguidedby theangelsofGodaccording to theirdesires.Theirlivesarelikeamonumentintheeternitiesfortheirpersonalsacrificestowardrighteousness.IftheydonotreceivetheHolyGhost in this life, theywillhaveanopportunity in thenext

4212Nephi26:9,Normallyittakesseveralgenerationstochangethetraditionthefathers.Mosaih13:13,Alma45:12,Helaman6:30,Helaman13:10,3Nephi27:32,D&C98:28-30,D&C103:26422“Therearetwootherkindsoffamilyunits.ThesearethoseoftheseedofmenwhohaveexpressedadesiretoreceivetheblessingsofAbraham,tobecometheHouseofIsrael.Theseareplacedinhumblecircumstanceswheretheycanbebornonearthandreceivethegospel.Suchwillbethecasewithmanybeforetheendcomes.’“ThelastcategoryaretheliteralseedofAdam.Thesespiritsareescortedbytheangels,boththepowers(warriors)andtheguardianstotheirhomeswheretheyareprotectedandnurturedtohaveanexperiencethatwillleadthemtothetruth.AslongastheirdesiresaretofindGod,theyareplacedinsuchfamilies.Onceasecondestatebeingisquickenedinthespirit(GiftoftheHolyGhost)theydonotcomedownagaininthisworldintheflesh.”(PersonalJournal)

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accordingtotheirdesires.Thesearethesecondestate,seekingtocomeintotheirthirdestateandbereceivedbytheLord.423TosacrificetheirglorytosavesoulsfortheFather:Thesearethefourthestate,JustMenandWomenMadePerfect,424SaviorsonMountZion,425the144Thousand,426theyareprophetsandprophetesses,priestsandpriestessestotheMostHigh.Theydonot live livesofcomfortandplenty.Often, theyaredespisedandhatedbythepeople,consideredpeculiarandwithoutmerittothose not familiar with the Lord’s Spirit.427 Each have a specificmission to build the Lord’s Kingdom. Those of this newdispensationthatareamongthisgroupwillgatherIsraelandhelppreparefortheLord’sreturn.428NoteveryonewhoentersmortalityhasamissionbestowedbytheLord.Thevastmajorityofthe“childrenofmen”cometolifewithno intention of choosing either God or Satan. They follow theirfamilial social structures for the purpose of experiencing theflesh.429Theyaresavedbecausetheydon’thavethelaw,430butdo

423HowtoOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.424Hebrew12:23,D&C76:64-70425Obadiah1:21,Isaiah7:32,Joel2:32,Revelation14,2Nephi18:18,D&C76:66,D&C84:2426Revelation7,D&C77:11427TheLorddescribesthelifeofaservant:3Nephi12-14,Matthew5:1-29,Luke6428Revelation7:3-4429Romans9:6-8,“Peopledwellthereinpeaceandrestfromtheircaresoftheworld.IntheNexus(Spiritworld)therearebillionsofspiritsoftheseedofmen.Isawthatmostoftheirfamilyunitsprotecttheirseedandarebornagainintofamilies,oftenbringingthesamesinsgenerationaftergeneration.Therearealsofamiliesprotectedbysonsofperditionthatprovidebodiesforevilspirits.Therearethousandsofsuchseedintheworldtoday.”(PersonalJournal)430Romans8:7,Moroni8:22

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notinheriteternallife.431ThesebeingsareforevertelestialunlesstheyembracetheEverlastingCovenant.432If you are Called, and Chosen433 to receive your “calling andelection made sure,”434 then you will know a fullness of yourmission in this life. Until that time, seek to know the Lordintimately.SeekallthegiftsoftheSpirit,beginningwiththegiftofdiscernmentandrevelation.AllthingswillbeaddeduntoyouuntilyouknowHim;becauseyouwillseeHimasHeis,andHewillteachyouwhatyouaretodo.

20)KnowingthatJesusistheChristToknowsomethingisdifferentthantojustbelieveinsomething.Itimpliesafamiliaritythatonlycomesthroughintimatelyinteractingwith,physicallytouching,andcommunicatingdirectly.Iknowmywife,becausewespendtimetogether-facetoface.Iknowwhatshe likes,herambitions,hobbies, favorite foods,etc.ChristcomparedhimselftotheBridegroomcomingforHisbride.435TheIsraeliteswereforbiddentotrulyknowtheirGodbecauseofrefusingHimatMountSinai,sothelessercovenantwasmadeandonly theHighPriestwasallowed toapproach theHolyofHolies

431Luke10:25-28,John3:15,John5:39-47,John6:54,John10:27-28,John17:3,Romans2:7,2Nephi2:27-28,2Nephi10:23,2Nephi31:18-21,Jacob6:11,Mosiah5:15,Mosiah15:23-27,Alma7:15-16,Alma11:40,Alma22:15-16,3Nephi9:14,D&C20:14-15,D&C45:8-9,D&C50:5-6432Genesis9:15-16,1Chronicles16:17,Isaiah24:5,Isaiah55:3,Isaiah61:8,Jeremiah32:40,Ezekiel16:60,Ezekiel37:26,D&C1:15-16,D&C22:1-2,D&C45:9,D&C49:9-10,D&C66:2,D&C76:101,D&C78:11-12,D&C101:39-40433Matthew20:16,1Corinthians1:25-31,Revelation17:14,Alma13:3,D&C24:1,D&C52:1,D&C95:5,D&C105:35-37,D&C121:34-404342Peter1:10,HowtoOpenYourSpiritualEyes,Anonymous,pg.435Isaiah62:5,Matthew9:15,Matthew25:1-13,Mark2:19-20,Luke5:34-35,D&C33:17-18,D&C65:3,D&C88:92

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eachyear tocometoHim.436 Jesus institutedtheNewCovenantwhichwouldallowusfinallyto“know”ourLord.437WepartakeofHisSacrament, takingHisnameuponus,eatingofHis flesh,anddrinking His blood; symbolizing our covenant relationship withHim.Weareinvitedto“knowHim.”438TheLorddesiresforustohavethekindoflifeHepossesses,whichiscalledEternalLife.AswemoveinthatdirectionwecangrowinpriesthooduntilwereceiveallthattheFatherhas.TheLordsaid,“And,ifyoukeepmycommandmentsandenduretotheendyoushallhaveeternal life,whichgift isthegreatestofallthegiftsofGod.”439TheThroneofGod,withitsinfiniteglory,beauty,andmagnitude,issofarbeyondthescopeoftheimagination;andtotryandexplaininwordswhatIhaveseenisutterlyimpossible.Irememberwatchingavideoofadeafpersonhearingforthefirsttime.ThereactionofsurpriseandjoyintheirfaceremindedmeofhowIfeelwhenIseetheLord.Myheartwantstoleapforjoyandneverreturntothisdarkworld.But,thislifemakesitpossibleforus toenjoy theeternitieswithHim.Thosewhowalkamong thecourts of heaven fondly refer to what we consider as anoverwhelming sacrifice tobe the greatest blessing. To know theLordistoknowLifeEternal.

9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor earheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatlovehim.

436Hebrews8,Hebrews9:7,D&C84:18-27437Jeremiah31:31-34,Matthew26:28,Mark14:24Luke22:20,2Corinthians3:6,Hebrews8:8-13,Hebrews12:24,D&C76:69,D&C84:57,D&C107:19438John17:3,2Corinthians5:17439D&C14:7

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10ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deepthingsofGod.[Canonlybeseenwiththespiritualeyesandbody.]11Forwhatmanknoweththethingsofaman,savethespiritofmanwhichisinhim?evensothethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.12 Now we have received, not the spirit of theworld,butthespiritwhichisofGod;thatwemightknowthethingsthatarefreelygiventousofGod.[Theyaregiventoustoknow.]13Which things also we speak, not in the wordswhichman’swisdomteacheth,butwhichtheHolyGhost teacheth; comparing spiritual things withspiritual.[Youcannotlearninschool,onlyfromtheLord.]14ButthenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neither can he know them, because theyare spiritually discerned. [Those who cannot seepasttheflesh.]15Buthethatisspiritualjudgethallthings,yethehimselfisjudgedofnoman.16ForwhohathknownthemindoftheLord,thathe may instruct him? But we have the mind ofChrist. [To have charity is to have the mind ofChrist.]1Corinthians2:9-16

In the link,Our Spiritual Progression,440 I write more about theprocess and ascension to the Throne of Heaven and the detailsrelated to the Second Comforter. You must continue to pressforwardseekingallthegiftsoftheSpirituntilyoufinallyreceivethe

440https://purerevelations.wordpress.com/our-temporal-progression/

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gift of “knowing that Jesus is the Christ.”441 Youwill knowHim,becauseyouwillsee,touch,smell,speakto,communicate,andbeawitness of Him. Hewill answer your questions as one personspeakstoanother.YouwillbesotakenbackbythegentlenessandyetuttermajestyofHispresence.Donotthinkforamomentyoucannotexperiencethisforyourself.

“God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, butwhatHewillmakeknownuntotheTwelve,andeventheleastSaintmayknowallthingsasfastasheisabletobearthem,forthedaymustcomewhennomanneedsaytohisneighbor,KnowyetheLord;forallshallknowHim…fromtheleasttothegreatest[seeJeremiah31:34].”442

The Apostle Paul received this gift, to know that Jesus was theChrist. He ascended to the Third Heaven and saw unspeakablethings.443Heoftenadmonished theSaintsofhisday toseek thesame.

10ForGodisnotunrighteoustoforgetyourworkand labourof love,whichyehaveshewedtowardhisname, inthatyehaveministeredtothesaints,anddominister.[YouareHis’servants.]11Andwedesirethateveryoneofyoudoshewthesamediligence to the full assuranceof hopeuntotheend:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of themwho through faith and patience inheritthepromises.[Wedesireallofyoutoinheritandwitnessthesameblessings.]

441D&C46:13,3Nephi5:26,Ether12:39442HistoryoftheChurch,3:380;fromadiscoursegivenbyJosephSmithonJune27,1839,inCommerce,Illinois;reportedbyWillardRichards.4432Corinthians12:2

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13 For when God made promise to Abraham,becausehecouldswearbynogreater,heswarebyhimself,[GodHimselfcametoAbrahamtomakeanoath,hisSecondComforter.]14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, andmultiplyingIwillmultiplythee.15 And so, after he had patiently endured, heobtained the promise. [We too must patientlyendureandwaitforthepropertime.]16 For men verily swear by the greater: andan oath for confirmation is to them an end ofallstrife.[TheSecondComforter]17WhereinGod,willingmoreabundantlytoshewunto the heirs of promise the immutability ofhiscounsel,confirmeditbyanoath:18Thatby two immutable things, inwhich itwasimpossible forGod to lie,wemighthavea strongconsolation, who have fled for refuge to lay holduponthehopesetbeforeus:[Wewerebothcalledandchosen,anheirandapromise.]19Whichhopewehaveasananchorof thesoul,both sure and steadfast, andwhich entereth intothatwithintheveil;[OurconfidenceinthepresenceofGodisstrengthened.]20 Whither the forerunner is for usentered, even Jesus,madeanhighpriest for everaftertheorderofMelchisedec.[WewillfollowthepatternandguidanceofHimwhogoesbefore.](Hebrews6)

OurgreatestdesireistoknowHim,tobewithourLordandSavior.IthappenstobeHisgreatestdesireaswell;therefore,trustinHimtomakeithappenwhenthetimingisperfect.IhavelearnedthattheSecondComforterwillnotcomeoneminutesoonerthanitisappointed. The experience you will have is not some

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accomplishment based on your reaching a summit ofrighteousness.Itwillcomeattheexactmomentyouaretobeginyourmission.ItwillbeananchortoyoursoulinthetimesaheadastheLordreclaimstheHouseofIsraelandestablishesZion.

ConclusionThereisnothingmoreimportantthandevelopingtheGiftsoftheSpiritinordertobecomeaServantoftheLord.ItisthebasisoftheDoctrine of Christ;444 namely repentance, baptism and the HolyGhost.AswedirectourheartstoHimandweseekthisrelationship,thelightwithinusismagnified.

All spiritual gifts should be the focus of our practice, efforts,teaching,andSabbathworship.Whenwedecidetoremoveallourunbeliefandarewillingtobeschooledbyangels, thefloodgatesbegintoopen.445JosephSmithsaid,

“The things ofGod are of deep import; and time,and experience, and careful and ponderous andsolemnthoughtscanonlyfindthemout.Thymind,Oman!ifthouwiltleadasouluntosalvation,muststretchashighastheutmostheavens,andsearchinto and contemplate the darkest abyss, and thebroad expanse of eternity—thou must communewithGod.Howmuchmoredignifiedandnobleare

444445“Iamlikeahugeroughstone...andtheonlypolishingIgetiswhensomecornergetsrubbedoffbycomingincontactwithsomethingelse,strikingwithacceleratedforce...thusIwillbecomeasmoothandpolishedshaftinthequiveroftheAlmightly.”TeachingsoftheProphetJosephSmith,sel.JosephFieldingSmith[1976],304).

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thethoughtsofGod,thanthevainimaginationsofthehumanheart!…446

Have you stretched your imaginations to the utmost heavens?Haveyousearchedthedarkestabyss?Haveyoureached for thefurthestheightstocommunewithGod?Thisiswhyyouarehere—toseektheLordandtofindHim.

446HistoryoftheChurch,3:295–96;paragraphdivisionsaltered;fromaletterfromJosephSmithandotherstoEdwardPartridgeandtheChurch,Mar.20,1839,LibertyJail,Liberty,Missouri;partsofthisletterwerelaterincludedintheDoctrineandCovenantsassections121,122,and123.

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GlossaryofTermsAhelpfullistofbasictermswithsimpledefinitions.Angel–Anexaltedbeingoflightandglory,anointedoftheLordtoperformamission.Apostle – A personal witness of Jesus Christ with an anointedmissiontobringtheGospelofJesusChristtotheGentiles.Atonement–Theactofprovidingredemptionforthosewhowouldbe spiritually begottenof the Father that theymaybe sons anddaughtersofGod.RequiresabloodsacrificeoftheTemporalSonandaspiritualsacrificeoftherecipient.Baptism of Fire– The cleansing effect of the glory of God as itremovessinandpreparesonetoenterthepresenceofGod.Celestial - The state of light and glory where God resides;everlastingburnings.Charity–ThevirtueofgodlinessthatisreceivedwiththeGiftoftheHolyGhost.AharmonythatexistsbetweentheSpiritoftheLordand the recipient, as their spirit is made perfect, and they seethemselvesandothersthewayGodseesthem.Church - Those who worship Jesus Christ in faith, repentance,baptism,andthereceiptoftheHolyGhost.Condescension–Toleavebehindone’sglorytocomedowntoalowersphere,usuallytoofferthemselvesasasacrificetosavethesoulsofmen.Covenant - A binding agreement made by God to men, whichguaranteesoureternalprogressionaswegrowingrace.Devil-Evilspiritsofvariousdegreesthatafflictthechildrenofmen.Discernment – To know the intent and truth regarding people,doctrines,revelations,visions,andmotivationsofothers.Dispensation – A period of time which begins with a newestablishmentofpriesthoodandagatheringofGod’speople.Divine Imagination – The capacity to exercise faith, thefoundationallaunchingpointforrevelationandspiritualawakeningasledbytheHolySpirit.

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Estate – A level of glory and light, made by covenant, for thepurposeoffillingthemeasureofourcreation.EternalLife–EternalIncreaseandfullnessofglory.Everlasting Covenant – The agreement and requirements toascend, grace for grace, untilwe receive all theblessings of theFather.

Old Covenant – The Mosaic Law and Sacrifices thatpreparedtheHouseofIsraeltoreceivetheHolyGhostandpreparefortheMessiah.New Covenant – The establishment of the EverlastingCovenantagain,toknowtheLordbyenteringHispresence.

Faith–Toseekrevelationandactuponit.Firmament–ThebarriersthatseparatethegatesofHeaven.Fruit–KnowledgeofGodGatherer–AnanointedservantoftheLordwithamissiontogathertheHouseof IsraelbeforethesecondcomingoftheLord.Theseare the144 thousand,bothmenandwomen, the fourthestate,foreordainedbeforethefoundationoftheworld.Generation–Atimewhichencompassesadispensation,event,orlifespan.Gentile–NotoftheHouseofIsraelortheBloodofIsrael.Gift of the Holy Ghost – The change of our spirit body from atelestialglorytoaterrestrialglory;tobespirituallyrebornagaininJesusChrist.GiftoftheSpirit–AspiritualbestowalofpowerforthepurposeofbuildingtheKingdomofGod.Glory – The energy and light that carries God’s influencethroughoutallcreation.Grace–Alevelofgloryassociatedwiththeestates,givenaccordingtotheEverlastingCovenant.Heaven – The various realms where God and His angels dwellbetweenthefirmaments.Hell–ThedominionanddwellingplaceofSatanandhisangels.HolyGhost/HolySpirit–Thelightandtruththatisinallthings,whichactsaccordingtothewillofGod.

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Hope–AknowledgethatouractionsareinharmonywiththewilloftheFather.HouseofIsrael–ThosewhohavemadeacovenantwithGodtobeHispeopleandreceiveHim.Intelligence–Theinitialbeginningoflifewhichcannotbecreated;onlytoactorbeactedupon.Israel –Means “To come toGod.”God’sname forHis covenantpeople.447Knowledge–TruthregardingGod’slaws,precepts,andmysteries.Lucifer–ThementorandkingoverSatan.Miracle - An act of God which cannot be explained by theunderstandingofmen.Offering–AsacrificetotheLordbycommandment,usuallyforthepurposeofteachingadivinepurpose.OuterDarkness–ThedominionofdarknessseparatedfromGod.Perdition–Acovenantbeingofdarkness.Priesthood–ThepowerofheavenbestoweduponservantsoftheLord in incremental degrees according to their estate andrelationshipwithGod.

Aaronic–TheTelestiallevelpriesthoodwhichpreparesonetoreceivetheHolyGhost.Melchizedek – The Terrestrial level priesthood which isadministered by the fourth estate, those who are theChurchof theFirstborn, for thepurposeofgathering theHouseofIsrael.Patriarchal – The Celestial level priesthood which isadministered by the higher estates. It is omnipotent,omnipresent,andomniscience.

Prophesy–tospeakthewordsof theLord,whethertoreprove,admonish, expound, or speak of events in the past, present orfuture.Prophet–OnewhohasbeencalledofGodtopreachrepentance,andspeaktheLord’swords.

447ThisisthetranslationwhichtheLordgavetome.

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Repentance – To turn one’s heart completely to the Lord,abandoningthedesiretosin.Resurrection – An increase in glory as the body is raised up toperfection.Revelation – To receive the Lord’s pure intelligence andunderstandingregardinganytopic.Revelator – To reveal the Lord’s works regarding somethinghithertounknown.Righteousness–InharmonywithGod’swill.Sacrifice–TooffersomethingtoGodasasymbol,signandwitnessinordertofulfilladivinepurpose.Satan–ApresidingpositionofdominionamongthedarkrealmoftheAdversaryoverthisworld.Scripture – A written record accepted as inspired of the Lordamongagroupofbelievers,oranindividual.Sealing– An ordinancewhich is sealed on earth and in HeavenaccordingtotheLord’sword.Seer–Aprophetwhichseesandforetellsthefuture.Sin– A state of beingwhich is out of harmonywith God’s law.PreventsusfromenteringHispresence.SpiritBody–Atabernacleof light,element,andenergywhichisself-existing;morerefinedthanthephysicalbody.Manylevelsofglory.Itisabodyoffleshandbones,butofanelementoflightandenergynotrestrictedtothephysicalelementsofatemporalworld.SpiritofPromise–AsealingperformedaccordingtotheedictofGod,whichcannotbebroken.Telestial–Ofthetemporalworld.Temple–AplacewhereGoddwells.Usuallyaplaceoflearningandjudgment.Temporal – A realm of constant rejuvenation, birth, and decay.Wheredustandmatterformtocreateatemporaryhousingforthespirit.Terrestrial–A realmof lightandmatter,which isnot the sameintensityoftheCelestial.Transgression–TodeviatefromGod’slaw.

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Translation of Body – A type of resurrection where the bodymaintainsitsappearanceofageandmortality,buthastheabilitiesofaresurrectedbeing.TreeofLife–AglorifiedtreewhichbearsfruitinthepresenceofGod.Wisdom–Toknowhow toproperlyuseknowledge in thepast,present,andfuture.Zion–ToattainaTerrestrialstateofexistenceinatemporalworld.